Rechthoekige cartouche met rolwerk en schaalstok 1595

This rectangular cartouche with scrollwork and a scale bar was likely made sometime in the 16th or 17th century by an anonymous artist. It is made using the intaglio printmaking technique, where the design is incised into a metal plate, and then the ink is held in these grooves to create the print. The fine lines and details of the scrollwork, the faces at the top and bottom of the cartouche, and the precise lettering show the skill of the engraver, who used tools like burins and scrapers to achieve this level of detail. This process demanded not only technical skill but also an understanding of visual language. It's important to remember that prints like these were part of a larger system of knowledge production and dissemination. They speak to the labor involved in creating and distributing images, and how this intersects with broader social, political, and economic forces. So, next time you see a print, remember it’s not just about the image, but also about the making, the materials, and the context that give it meaning.