Schilderingen westzijde, Sint Michielsabdij Antwerpen c. 1699

Hendrik Causé created this engraving of the Sint Michielsabdij in Antwerp in the late 17th century. With its densely packed lines, this print seems to be a straightforward document, but the process by which it was made is key to understanding its appeal. Engraving is a demanding art. Using a tool called a burin, the artist gouges lines directly into a metal plate. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the carved channels. When paper is pressed against the plate, a mirror image of the design is transferred. This allows for the production of identical multiples. Engravings like this one thus directly reflect the rise of print culture, and its basis in an almost industrial process. Causé wasn't just an artist, but also a skilled technician, producing images on demand for a growing market of consumers. Appreciating this artwork, therefore, means recognizing its place within a system of production and consumption, blurring the line between craft and commerce.