De Spaanse heidin Preciosa 1702 - 1767

Jacob Folkema made this print, 'The Spanish Heathen Preciosa,' using the technique of etching. The image is created by drawing lines on a metal plate covered with wax, then immersing the plate in acid which bites away at the exposed metal. Ink is then applied to the plate and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the image is transferred to paper through a press. Here, the network of fine lines has produced a scene of complex social exchange. We see a wealthy man seemingly purchasing a young woman from two older ones, presumably for sexual favors. The very material of the print allows this transaction to be distributed and consumed, much like the woman herself. Folkema was not only an artist, but also ran a printing shop. This means he would have been keenly aware of the labor and resources required to produce such an image, and how these were tied to wider issues of economics and consumption. By considering the materials, making, and historical context, we can fully appreciate the cultural work this image performs, challenging any traditional distinction between fine art and craft.