Titelpagina met een overzicht van de prenten I-XVIIII in serie 5, 1566-1570 1570

Editor: This is a title page from a collection of prints made by Frans Hogenberg around 1570. It’s a woodcut and engraving on paper. Looking at all that text, I immediately think about the labour involved in producing something like this – imagine carving all those tiny letters! What do you see when you look at it? Curator: The sheer volume of text points me to its function as a form of mass communication. We need to consider the material conditions that allowed for the wide dissemination of information in the 16th century. Think about the printing press and the expanding market for news and propaganda during a time of religious upheaval. Editor: Propaganda, right! I hadn’t thought of it that way. So the choice of woodcut and engraving wasn't just about aesthetics but accessibility? Curator: Precisely. These printmaking techniques allowed for relatively quick and cheap reproduction compared to, say, painting or tapestry. The materiality of the print directly impacted its role in shaping public opinion and potentially fueling conflict. What does that suggest about the social value of visual media at the time? Editor: It was more than just decoration; it was a tool. This page offers insight into the printing process, its link to a larger social environment, and its function beyond the simple communication of religious concepts. That opens a whole new dimension of appreciation! Curator: Indeed! Understanding how materials, process, and production were linked is fundamental in understanding visual culture itself!