Twee dessus-de-portes en een schoorsteenstuk after 1703

This print was made by Daniël Marot, sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. It demonstrates the technique of engraving, where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. What I find so compelling about prints like this is the level of detail that is achieved through a painstaking, repetitive process. The artist's skill is evident in the way that the engraved lines create a sense of depth and texture, giving the impression of sculptural forms and lush foliage. As a design for a chimneypiece, this image would have been widely circulated. Consider the social context in which this print was created. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the production of prints was a highly skilled craft, often involving workshops of artisans working together. Each line represents labor, not just artistic inspiration. By valuing the craft of printmaking, we recognize the contributions of the many skilled workers who helped to shape the visual culture of their time, challenging the traditional hierarchy between art and craft.