Allegorische voorstelling met Fortuna en Wetenschap 1650 - 1666

This allegory of Fortune and Science was made by Dancker Danckerts, a Dutch printmaker active in the mid-17th century. As an etching, its value resided less in the material itself—an inexpensive sheet of paper—than in the labor involved in its production. Look closely, and you'll notice the dense network of fine lines that creates the image. These are not drawn, but bitten into the metal plate by acid. The process demands a high level of technical skill and a tolerance for toxic chemicals. Printmaking was an essential technology during this period, enabling the rapid distribution of images and ideas. It’s important to remember that the making of this print, and others like it, relied on a whole system of production, involving not only the artist but also the suppliers of materials, the printers, and the distributors. By considering the social and economic context in which this print was made, we gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance, and the labor that went into it.