Deventer door verraad van William Stanley in Spaanse handen, 1587 1729 - 1766

This engraving, made by Simon Fokke in the 18th century, depicts the city of Deventer falling into Spanish hands in 1587. The process of engraving itself is key to understanding this image. Fokke would have used a sharp tool, called a burin, to carve lines into a copper plate. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. The resulting print, like this one, has a crisp, detailed quality, ideal for reproducing complex scenes. Consider the labor involved in creating this detailed image. The artist would have needed not only technical skill, but also a deep understanding of perspective and composition. This print, and others like it, played an important role in disseminating news and shaping public opinion in a pre-photographic age. The print is not just an image, but a carefully crafted object, imbued with the values and concerns of its time. Understanding the process reveals its full significance, blurring the line between craft and fine art.