Portret van Frederik Hendrik, prins van Oranje, op 19-jarige leeftijd c. 1598 - 1631

This portrait of Frederik Hendrik, Prince of Orange, at the age of nineteen, was made by Jacob Matham around 1602. It is a masterful example of engraving, a printmaking process that relies on the precision cutting of lines into a metal plate. Here, Matham used a tool called a burin to incise the image. The varying depth and density of these lines create tone and texture, from the soft curls of the Prince's hair to the elaborate details of his clothing. The process of engraving demands meticulous skill and control; the printmaker's hand guides the tool to produce an image in reverse, which appears correctly when printed. The proliferation of printed images like this one played a vital role in disseminating information and shaping public perception during this era, serving as a powerful medium for projecting status, power, and political ideals. In this context, engraving wasn't just a craft; it was an essential tool in shaping social and political realities. Considering the process by which it was made, we can appreciate the print not just as a portrait but as a potent symbol of its time.