Natuurkundige modellen 1759

Nicolaas van Frankendaal made this print, *Natuurkundige Modellen*, using etching and engraving techniques. These are processes that rely on the controlled corrosion of a metal plate with acid. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under pressure. The physical properties of metal are essential here. Its capacity to be both precisely worked and chemically altered makes possible the intricate detail we see. The print illustrates physical models, likely for educational purposes. The precision of the lines speaks to the scientific nature of the subject, and the skilled labor required to produce the printing plate. Consider the amount of work involved in the production of such a print. From the initial drawing to the etching and engraving, inking, and finally, printing. It highlights the intersection of art, craft, and scientific knowledge in the 18th century. It also challenges our modern separation of these fields. The print reminds us of the value of skilled handwork in the pursuit of knowledge and its dissemination.