Ontwerp voor het titelblad van het treurspel Arzases 1732

Jan Punt made this design for the title page of the play Arzases in 1732 using pen, black ink, and brush in grey. It's a classic example of the kind of book illustration common at the time. Look closely, and you can see how Punt has carefully built up the image with fine hatching and shading. The gray wash gives depth to the scene, highlighting the drama of the moment. The image has the look of an etching or engraving but was made by hand. The printmaking techniques were key to disseminating images to a wide audience, making art more accessible and driving the growth of visual culture. This drawing then, is both a functional design and an artwork in its own right. Consider how the labor-intensive process of creating such a detailed illustration reflects the broader economic context of the time, where skilled craftsmanship was highly valued, yet also subject to the demands of a growing market for printed materials. Appreciating the making is key to understanding its cultural significance.