Optocht bij de inwijding van Universiteit van Leiden, 1575 1575

This print, made in 1575 by an anonymous artist, commemorates the opening of Leiden University. It was made using engraving, a printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The relatively even lines and tones suggest that the artist was highly skilled in this technique. Note the sheer amount of labor involved. The artist would have had to meticulously cut away at the metal, a physically demanding and time-consuming process. It shows a grand procession, a carefully orchestrated display of power. We see soldiers, dignitaries, and allegorical figures, all parading to celebrate the new university. Consider this event in the context of the Eighty Years' War, when the Dutch were fighting for independence from Spain. The university became a symbol of Dutch resilience and intellectual freedom. Prints like this weren't just art objects; they were powerful tools for shaping public opinion, and documenting history. The artist was making a statement about Dutch identity, and the importance of education. In this print, craft and culture are inextricably linked.