Stadsgezicht met door paard getrokken slee 1765

This print, "Cityscape with a Horse-Drawn Sleigh," was made by Rienk Jelgerhuis in the 18th century. It is an etching, a process involving the use of acid to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Notice how the etched lines create a sense of texture and depth, from the cobblestones under the sleigh to the feathery plume atop the horse’s head. The controlled, repetitive nature of the etching process lends itself well to depicting the orderly cityscape. The print also provides a glimpse into 18th-century urban life. Consider the labor involved: the care of the horse, the construction of the sleigh, and the work of the figures on the street. The division of labor is implicit, reflecting the social stratification of the time. Ultimately, this print reminds us that even seemingly simple images are the product of complex social and material relations, challenging any clear separation between art, craft, and daily life.