Zeeslag bij Kijkduin, 21 augustus 1673 1673

This print, probably made shortly after the naval battle it depicts on August 21, 1673, would have been produced using a relatively simple process. The artist would have used a sharp tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a copper plate. Ink was then applied to the plate, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Finally, paper was pressed against the plate, transferring the image. The image, of the Battle of Kijkduin, is bustling with ships at war. The medium lends itself to detailed, linear representations, and the black and white contrast creates a dramatic effect. Prints like these were relatively inexpensive and could be produced in large numbers, making them accessible to a wide audience. They served as a form of mass media, disseminating news and shaping public opinion about important events. The labor involved in creating the printing plate, running the press, and distributing the final product reflects the growth of a print culture and the development of early forms of journalism. Here, the material and making are inextricably linked to the social context, highlighting the vital role of print in shaping historical narratives.