Cartouche met aan beide zijde een mascaron 1569

This elaborate cartouche was etched by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum. The printmaking process begins with a metal plate, usually copper, meticulously engraved with fine lines and details. The physical qualities of the etching directly influence its appearance: the incised lines create a delicate texture, and the monochromatic palette emphasizes form and detail. The Doetechums employed techniques that demanded precision and control, reflecting a skilled tradition of printmaking. But, these objects were made for a market: prints like this one were relatively inexpensive and widely available. The labor involved in the process, from the initial design to the final printing, reflects broader social issues of production and consumption. Understanding the materials, making, and context challenges the idea that prints such as this are somehow less important than unique artworks.