Groepen ruiters in beweging 1667

Nikolaas van Hoy made this print, Groepen ruiters in beweging, using etching sometime in the 17th century. It depicts groups of horse riders in motion in a minimalist manner. The etching process is key here. By incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper, Hoy was able to create multiple copies of this image. While these prints were often seen as lesser than painting, the printmaking medium allowed for a wider distribution of images, enabling access to art beyond the elite circles of society. The marks and lines that compose the artwork are not accidental, they are deliberate strokes that contribute to the overall composition. By making use of the printmaking technology, Hoy was able to democratize art, moving it away from unique artworks, and closer to mass production. He offers a glimpse into the changing landscape of art and labor in the 17th century.