Beschieting van Keizersweerd, 1702 1702

This print, Beschieting van Keizersweerd, was made in 1702, and depicts the siege of the city of Keizersweerd. Its anonymous maker used the intaglio process of engraving, cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. Here, the material qualities of metal and paper combine to create a powerful image. The sharp lines of the engraving capture the chaos of war, while the black ink on white paper conveys a sense of immediacy. Look closely, and you can see the incredible amount of labor involved in creating this print, with its tiny, precise lines and meticulously rendered details. The artist likely used specialized tools and techniques, drawing on traditions of printmaking and illustration to create this image. Yet, it also reflects the social context in which it was made, during a time of political upheaval and military conflict. This print serves as a reminder of the close relationship between materials, making, and historical events.