Prognosticatie van het einde van de wereld, ca.1663 Possibly 1644 - 1664

Crispijn van de Passe the Younger made this print, *Prognostication of the End of the World,* around 1663. It's an etching, a printmaking technique using acid to bite lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The relatively inexpensive nature of printmaking meant that images like this could be widely distributed. This was especially important in spreading religious and political ideas during the 17th century. Here, we see a narrative unfolding in multiple scenes, from daily life to divine judgment. The act of etching itself, with its combination of technical skill and repetitive labor, reflects the growing commercialism of art during this period. Prints like this weren't just artistic expressions; they were commodities, produced and sold in a burgeoning market. This print is a testament to how art, even when dealing with lofty themes like the end of the world, was increasingly intertwined with the material realities of production and consumption. It reminds us to consider the social and economic context in which art is made and circulated.