Vignet met een vaas met bloemen en het wapen van de stad Haarlem. 17th century

This is an anonymous print, made using engraving – a technique by which lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. It depicts a vase of flowers and the coat of arms of Haarlem. Engraving was a labor-intensive process, requiring skilled artisans to translate designs into physical form. The fine lines and intricate details seen here are a testament to the engraver's mastery. The medium lends itself to crisp, precise imagery. The technique was widely used for both artistic and commercial purposes. The fact that this image combines civic identity and floral motifs, a natural form now rendered permanent in ink, indicates the importance of the city of Haarlem. The print acts as both an emblem and a celebration of the city’s values and craftsmanship. By understanding the material and processes behind this print, we gain insight into the social and cultural context in which it was created, blurring the lines between fine art, craft, and civic identity.