XL Vt emergant 1614

This engraving by Roemer Visscher, dating to the late 16th or early 17th century, shows a watermill. This is no precious metal or pigment; the medium here is humble – ink on paper. The image’s strength lies in its lines, and the way they describe the wooden texture of the mill itself. The printing process involved craft skills and physical labor. From the preparation of the printing plate to the operation of the press, many hands would have been involved in the production of this image, reflecting the broader society of labor. The choice of the watermill as a subject is also significant. Mills were vital infrastructure, powering the early modern economy. So, in its own way, this small print embodies the energy of a society being transformed by technology and trade. It reminds us that even the simplest of images have complex connections to the world of materials, making, and social context.