Een speeljacht, 1642 1642

This is a print of a "Speeljacht", or pleasure yacht, made in 1642 by Dirk Eversen Lons. It is made from ink on paper, using the technique of etching. The fine lines that define the image are achieved by drawing into a waxy ground laid on a metal plate, which is then exposed to acid. This etches away the exposed lines, allowing them to hold ink. The character of the image relies on the artist's hand, and the precise control of the etching process. This printmaking process was at once both a form of craft and a form of industry, allowing for the wide circulation of images, and for artists to find patronage through merchant classes. The depiction of maritime transport also speaks to the Netherlands' wider economic position at the time. The intense labor of ship-building, navigation and international trade made Amsterdam into a global superpower during the 17th Century. As such, we can see in the image an encapsulation of a moment in the history of labour, politics and consumption. Thinking about materials and processes helps us to see this print not just as a pretty picture, but as a vital object that sheds light on a society in flux.