Gezicht op marktplein te Workum 1782

This print, *Gezicht op marktplein te Workum*, offers a glimpse into the labor and social fabric of a Dutch market square. Dirk de Jong captured this scene using engraving, a process deeply intertwined with the rise of print culture. Engraving involves meticulously cutting lines into a metal plate, which then holds ink to transfer an image onto paper. Notice how the density and direction of these lines create light and shadow, giving form to the buildings and figures. The engraver's skill transforms a flat surface into a lively scene of commerce and community. Consider the labor involved: each line, each detail, represents hours of focused work. Prints like these weren't just art; they were a vital means of communication and documentation, reflecting the burgeoning mercantile economy of the time. By focusing on the making, we see how this image is as much about the world it depicts as it is about the culture of production.