Tekstblad bij boekillustratie 1723

This is a page of printed text by Roeland van Leuve, made using a printing press. The paper itself is thin and slightly textured. The text is printed in black ink, and the impression of the letters is visible on the surface of the paper. The process of printing involves creating a matrix, in this case likely a series of metal type, inking it, and then pressing it onto the paper to transfer the image. The regularity and consistency of the text indicate a high level of skill and control on the part of the printer, who would have been a trained artisan. Print was once a revolutionary technology that standardized and disseminated information, profoundly impacting society. It democratized knowledge, but also required the labor of countless individuals. By attending to the materials and the making, we can understand the significance of this seemingly simple object, bridging the gap between craft and fine art.