Opstand bij de begrafenis van Daniël Raap op de Dam te Amsterdam in 1754 1786

Cornelis Brouwer made this print, ‘Riot at the Funeral of Daniel Raap on the Dam in Amsterdam in 1754’, using etching and engraving. These are both intaglio processes, where lines are incised into a metal plate, then filled with ink and printed, transferring the image to paper. The material qualities of the print - the fineness of the lines, the subtle gradations of tone - invite close inspection. This contrasts sharply with the scene depicted, a public disturbance. We see people protesting at a funeral, an event laden with social significance. The act of etching and engraving, while demanding skill and precision, also allowed for reproduction, making the image accessible to a wider audience. Here, printmaking serves as a means of documenting and disseminating social unrest. It underscores the power of images to capture and convey the spirit of popular movements. This piece challenges conventional distinctions between art and craft, serving as a powerful commentary on labor, politics, and consumption.