Titelprent met personificaties van de Tiber en de Nijl, vrouwenfiguren met vissenstaarten, obelisken en zuilen 1651

This title page, made by Louis Rouhier, probably in the 17th century, is a masterclass in engraving, a printmaking process involving carving lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. Here, the material qualities of the metal, combined with Rouhier's skilled hand, result in incredibly fine, detailed lines that bring allegorical figures representing the Tiber and Nile rivers to life. The rigid metal yields to reveal soft, flowing forms and textures. We also notice the architectural elements such as the obelisks and columns, symbols of power, order and achievement, carefully rendered to showcase their grandeur, and the beauty of the overall composition. The printmaking process, by its nature, is tied to social issues of labor and production, since the process is a way of making multiples. And the level of detail here suggests Rouhier spent considerable time and effort in crafting the plate, a testament to his dedication and skill. Ultimately, this title page reminds us of the importance of considering both materials and making in understanding the full meaning of art, and how printmaking is a method of imbuing social and cultural values.