Gezicht op het Stadhuis, de Nieuwe Kerk en de Waag op de Dam te Amsterdam 1670 - 1726

This print offers a bird’s eye view of the Dam Square in Amsterdam. It was made anonymously using etching, a printmaking process involving acid, metal, and immense skill. In etching, a metal plate is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, into which the design is drawn with a sharp needle. When the plate is bathed in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating recessed grooves that hold ink. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The lines in this print vary in thickness and darkness, achieved by carefully controlling the depth of the etched lines. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, etching enabled the mass production of images, contributing to the rise of visual culture and information dissemination. The making of these prints involved a division of labor, with skilled artisans and laborers contributing to each stage of the production process, reflecting the economic structures of the time. Ultimately, by attending to the material processes and social context of this print, we gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance, bridging the gap between art and craft.