Comorn belegerd door de Turken, 1594 1594 - 1596

This print, Comorn belegerd door de Turken, was made in 1594 by Frans Hogenberg. It is a fine example of etching, a printmaking process that involves using acid to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Hogenberg’s choice of etching, rather than say, engraving, allowed for a looser, more spontaneous line, ideal for capturing the chaotic energy of the siege. The material qualities of the print—its monochrome palette, the subtle variations in line weight—all contribute to its documentary feel, even though it is of course a constructed image. Consider too the labor involved: the skilled hand of the etcher, the work of the press, and the distribution of the final product. Prints like these played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, turning distant conflicts into consumable images. This print is not just a record of a siege, but a product of a rapidly evolving media landscape.