Cornelis Stalpart vander Wiel 1679 - 1682

Abraham de Blois made this print of Cornelis Stalpart vander Wiel in the early 18th century, using engraving. Lines were incised into a copper plate with a tool called a burin, and then filled with ink and printed onto paper. The result is a detailed portrait, capturing the textures of fabric and hair. The fine lines create a sense of depth, especially noticeable around the face. But, more than just a likeness, the engraving declares the sitter's status. The lettering etched into the plate, combined with the formal pose, speaks to the sitter’s profession, and the skill of the artist. Consider the labor involved: each line carefully cut, demanding precision. The artist, like a skilled artisan, mediates the cultural values of his time. By understanding the material and the making, we see how images like this circulated, embedding social hierarchies in their very form. It reminds us that even seemingly simple prints are complex objects, revealing stories about labor, skill, and the making of identity.