Ruïnes in een straat naar de Grote Markt bij het Manneken Pis te Brussel, 1695 1695

Augustin Coppens created this print in 1695, employing etching techniques to depict the ruins in a street towards the Grand Market near the Manneken Pis in Brussels. Etching is an intaglio process, where lines are incised into a metal plate using acid. The plate is coated with a waxy substance, and the artist draws through this, exposing the metal. Then acid bites into the exposed lines. The plate is inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. High pressure is then used to transfer the image onto paper. Here, the linear quality and the tonal gradations achieved through hatching and cross-hatching lend the scene a stark, documentary feel. This print isn't just an artistic representation; it's a record of a specific moment in time, shaped by the social and political upheavals of the late 17th century. The medium enhances the subject, creating a poignant commentary on the transience of human endeavors, and the labor required to rebuild. By understanding the making process, we recognize how Coppens merges artistic skill with social commentary, inviting us to reflect on history, memory, and the enduring spirit of a city.