Uitval van de Bezetting van de Citadel van Antwerpen bij de Lunet St. Laurent / (10 December 1832.) 1832 - 1833

Johannes Steyn made this print of the Exit of the Occupation of the Citadel of Antwerp at Lunet St. Laurent on December 10, 1832. It's rendered in a printmaking technique called etching, a meticulous process of using acid to bite lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The material of the print, paper, belies the violent scene it depicts. Look at the clash of bodies and the chaos of battle. Steyn captured a moment of intense conflict during the Belgian Revolution. The printmaking process itself, with its reliance on repeatable gestures and mechanical reproduction, stands in stark contrast to the singular event it portrays. Prints like these were often commissioned to commemorate historical events or to circulate political messages. The labor-intensive process of etching, while capable of producing multiple copies, also reflects a certain investment in the subject matter, elevating it beyond the realm of mere reportage. Ultimately, the print serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between art, labor, and the narratives we choose to preserve.