About this artwork
Romeyn de Hooghe made this print of atrocities in a waterfront village in 1672 using etching and engraving techniques. The stark contrast of black lines on white paper delivers a powerful visual punch, emphasizing the chaos and violence depicted. The method of production here is critical. Etching involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into the wax, and then immersing the plate in acid. The acid bites away at the exposed metal, creating grooves that hold ink. Engraving, on the other hand, uses a tool to directly cut lines into the metal. The combination allowed de Hooghe to create intricate details and a wide range of tones, from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights. Prints like this one had a crucial function: the relatively inexpensive process allowed images to be widely distributed and consumed, shaping public opinion and constructing collective memory. The graphic horror shown here surely fueled anti-French sentiment. This print is a prime example of how craft and design can be intertwined with politics and social commentary.
Wreedheden in een dorp aan het water, 1672 1673
Romeyn de Hooghe
1645 - 1708Location
RijksmuseumArtwork details
- Medium
- print, engraving
- Dimensions
- height 215 mm, width 308 mm
- Location
- Rijksmuseum
- Copyright
- Rijks Museum: Open Domain
Tags
ink drawing
narrative-art
baroque
pen drawing
landscape
history-painting
engraving
Comments
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About this artwork
Romeyn de Hooghe made this print of atrocities in a waterfront village in 1672 using etching and engraving techniques. The stark contrast of black lines on white paper delivers a powerful visual punch, emphasizing the chaos and violence depicted. The method of production here is critical. Etching involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into the wax, and then immersing the plate in acid. The acid bites away at the exposed metal, creating grooves that hold ink. Engraving, on the other hand, uses a tool to directly cut lines into the metal. The combination allowed de Hooghe to create intricate details and a wide range of tones, from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights. Prints like this one had a crucial function: the relatively inexpensive process allowed images to be widely distributed and consumed, shaping public opinion and constructing collective memory. The graphic horror shown here surely fueled anti-French sentiment. This print is a prime example of how craft and design can be intertwined with politics and social commentary.
Comments
No comments