Staande man met tulband en stok 1633 - 1665

Salomon Savery created this print, "Standing Man with Turban and Staff," using etching—a demanding intaglio process involving acid, metal, and considerable skill. Savery made this image by drawing through a wax-covered metal plate with a sharp needle, exposing the metal underneath. When the plate was immersed in acid, the exposed lines were eaten away, creating grooves. The deeper the bite, the darker the line would appear when printed. Think about the precision, control and dexterity required for this process, and the labor involved in creating this printable matrix. The figure’s garments, rendered through Savery’s precise etching, convey his wealth and status. His turban, elaborate coat, and the fine details of his weaponry, all speak to a life of privilege. The print itself, multiplied and distributed, plays a role in visualizing and reinforcing the social hierarchy of the time. This work reminds us that even seemingly simple prints are the products of skilled labor and material knowledge, entwined with social and economic structures.