Gezicht op een kanaal of gracht met huizen aan weerszijden 1562 - 1601

This print, made by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, shows a view of a canal or moat with houses on either side. It was made using a printing plate of copper, a material that can hold incredibly fine detail, as you can see here. The image is all about line, with the artist using hatching, tiny parallel marks, to build up areas of tone. It's almost like a woven textile, where the density of the weave determines the darkness of the image. This technique, developed in the Renaissance, allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images, fueling the growth of visual culture. Copperplate engraving was closely linked to the rise of capitalism, as prints could be used to disseminate information, advertise goods, and celebrate the achievements of the wealthy merchant class. So, next time you look at an artwork, remember to consider the materials and processes involved, as they can tell us a lot about the social and cultural context in which it was made.