Penningen met portretten van keizer Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, keizer Germanicus Caesar en keizer Tyberius 1617

These images of coins, featuring portraits of emperors Nero, Germanicus, and Tiberius, were printed by Adolph Roelofsz Rutgers. The process of printing such images involved a combination of meticulous engraving and the mechanics of the printing press. Note the graphic quality of the lines, which give form to these authoritative figures. The choice of line work influences our perception, creating a sense of depth and texture, despite the inherent flatness of the printed image. Consider how this mode of production—the printing press—democratized access to these images. The ability to reproduce likenesses of rulers, initially reserved for exclusive coinage, spoke to evolving notions of power, labor, politics, and consumption. The printing press, therefore, was not only a means of replicating images but also a catalyst for disseminating information. This work blurs the boundary between craft and fine art, reminding us of the social significance embedded in the materials and making processes.