Kanonnier en marketentster 1616

This print, "Kanonnier en marketentster", was created by an anonymous artist using etching. It depicts a cannonier and a woman, likely a seller who followed armies to sell goods. The etcher would have coated a metal plate with wax, then scratched an image into the wax with a needle before immersing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the metal where the wax has been removed, creating recessed lines that hold ink. After the plate is inked and wiped clean, it’s pressed against paper, transferring the image. The technique allows for fine detail and subtle gradations of tone, evident in the rendering of the figures' clothing and the surrounding landscape. But more than this, the printmaking medium allowed for a relatively quick reproduction, making imagery available to a wide audience. It's through these relatively humble means, that the realities of early modern military life are conveyed. Ultimately, this print demonstrates how technical processes can imbue an artwork with social significance, blurring the lines between craft, art, and historical documentation.