Portret van Johannes Henricus Westerhoff 1764

This print of Johannes Henricus Westerhoff was made by Jacob Houbraken using engraving, a demanding and exacting process. Here, a design is incised into a metal plate, traditionally copper, using a tool called a burin. The lines are then filled with ink, and the plate is pressed onto paper. Consider the labor involved. Each line of shading, each detail of Westerhoff's face and clothing, required careful, skilled work. Engraving like this was essential for disseminating images and information in the 18th century, before photography. The very act of creating such a detailed likeness elevates Westerhoff, suggesting his importance. The texture and weight of the print itself – the physical artifact – speaks to a culture that valued craftsmanship and the ability to translate likeness into a reproducible form. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple images are the product of immense skill, time, and a specific set of social values.