Allegorisch portret van Johann Joachim von Sandrart 1665 - 1698

This allegorical portrait of Johann Joachim von Sandrart was made by Johann Jakob von Sandrart in the late 17th century. It's an etching, a printmaking process that relies on the corrosive action of acid to create lines in a metal plate. Look closely, and you'll see a network of fine, precise lines. These were incised into a prepared metal plate, likely copper, with a sharp tool. The plate would then have been submerged in acid, which bit away at the exposed lines. The longer it was submerged, the deeper and darker the lines would be. Ink is then applied to the plate and wiped away from the surface, remaining only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The skill involved in etching lies in controlling the acid's bite and manipulating the lines to create depth, texture, and tone. This print isn't just an image; it's a testament to the engraver's mastery of materials and processes. It reminds us that even in seemingly "flat" artworks, materiality and making play a crucial role.