De verovering van de Portugese kraak St. Thomé, 1602 1603 - 1646

This print, made by Floris Balthasarsz van Berckenrode around 1602, depicts the seizure of the Portuguese carrack St. Thomé. It's made using the intaglio process of etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate using acid, then filled with ink and printed. The result is a tightly-wrought image, full of dramatic incident. Note the graphic quality of the waves, each described with multiple strokes. The ships are rendered with impressive detail. But beyond its aesthetic qualities, this print offers a glimpse into the economic engines of the 17th century, as it depicts an act of seizing ships, synonymous with the violent realities of global trade, which underpinned Dutch prosperity. The labor of sailors, shipbuilders, and the artists who documented these events are all interwoven in the image. Ultimately, this print is a testament to the complex relationship between art, labor, and the material world.