Buste van een oude man, naar rechts 1630 - 1686

This print, "Buste van een oude man, naar rechts," was made by Jan van de Velde IV in the 17th century, using etching, and perhaps some additional engraving. Look closely, and you'll notice the subtle textures and gradations of tone. These were achieved by applying acid to a metal plate, allowing the artist to create lines and tones by controlling the depth and width of the etched marks. This was skilled and laborious work. The print is not just an image, but an object in itself. It bears witness to a specific moment in the history of reproductive technologies. Consider the labour that went into it, and the cultural values that elevated printmaking to a fine art, enabling the wide distribution of images to a growing public. The lines etched here speak to a deep connection between craft, design, and materiality. By understanding these processes, we move beyond simply looking at the image, and start to appreciate it as a significant cultural artifact.