Portret van Antoinette de Bourignon after 1680

Bernard Picart made this print of Antoinette de Bourignon, sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries, using the technique of engraving. Look closely and you can see the marks of the engraver’s burin, the tool used to cut lines into a metal plate. The depth and density of these lines create the image’s tonal range. The engraver would have needed a steady hand and deep understanding of light and shadow to create the portrait. This print wasn't just a feat of technical skill; it was also a product of its time. The printing press allowed for the mass production of images, spreading ideas and likenesses far and wide. In this case, it allowed for the dissemination of Bourignon’s image, a controversial mystic who challenged religious norms. The very act of reproducing and circulating her image speaks to the power of printmaking in shaping public perception and challenging established authority. So, next time you see a print, remember that it is not just an image, but also a testament to the skill, labor, and social context that brought it into being.