IJzeren tijdperk 1576 - 1628

Jan Collaert II created this engraving, "IJzeren Tijdperk," likely in the late 16th or early 17th century, using the intaglio process. Here, lines are incised into a metal plate, likely copper, then filled with ink and printed onto paper. The fineness of the lines suggests the engraver's skill, patiently rendering details of conflict and societal collapse. The iron, or perhaps "steel age," becomes starkly visible. This was a time when engraved prints held immense power. They could cheaply and efficiently disseminate information and opinion. Collaert’s vision of societal breakdown reflects anxieties about war, perhaps referencing the political and religious upheavals of his time. Engravings like this were often produced in multiples, intended for a broad audience. It shows how traditional artistic skill could be marshaled to reflect the anxieties of a rapidly changing world.