Gezicht op de Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam 1663 - 1664

This print, "Gezicht op de Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam," was made by Jacob van Meurs in the 17th century, using etching and engraving. These processes involve working lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then using a press to transfer the image onto paper. The etching and engraving techniques allowed van Meurs to achieve fine detail and tonal variation, capturing the architectural details of the Nieuwe Kerk and the surrounding cityscape of Amsterdam. The linear quality of the print emphasizes the geometry of the buildings and the precision of the urban planning. Prints like this were produced in multiples, and this speaks to the burgeoning capitalist economy of the Dutch Golden Age. They were commodities, produced by skilled labor. By appreciating the labor and the mode of production, we can understand how the print bridges the gap between craft and fine art, and is deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of its time.