't Hof te Loo c. 1694 - 1701

This print of ‘t Hof te Loo, was made in the Netherlands in the mid-17th century by Cornelis Danckerts, using the technique of etching. Etching is an indirect intaglio process – meaning that lines are incised into a metal plate using acid, and then the plate is inked and printed. The resulting image has a distinctive quality, with fine lines and subtle gradations of tone. The technique allowed Danckerts to reproduce a detailed image of the palace, with its formal gardens, surrounding landscape, and even figures in the foreground. But let’s think about the labour embedded in the materials and the making, not just the image itself. Metal mining, refining, and the skilled work of the printmaker – all this went into the production of the artwork. Prints like this one helped to circulate images of power and prestige, contributing to the cultural landscape of the time. So, next time you look at a print, consider the complex relationship between materials, making, and meaning.