Portret van Georg Serpilius op 32-jarige leeftijd 1699 - 1700

This portrait of Georg Serpilius at age 32 was made by Leonhard Heckenauer, probably in the late 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed onto paper. The real artistry here lies in the mark-making. Look closely, and you’ll see that the image is built up from thousands of tiny lines and dots. The engraver used a tool called a burin to precisely cut these marks, varying the pressure to create different depths and widths. This is how Heckenauer achieved the subtle gradations of tone that give Serpilius his lifelike presence, and the crisp details of his clothing. Engraving was a highly skilled and laborious process, demanding years of training. It was also a key technology for disseminating images and information in the pre-photographic era. This print not only gives us a sense of Serpilius as an individual, but also connects us to a wider world of craftsmanship, commerce, and communication. Appreciating this context allows us to move beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and skilled production.