Bust of a Monk 1626

This ‘Bust of a Monk’ was made by Johann Heinrich Schönfeld, likely in the mid-17th century, using etching. It's a print, meaning that Schönfeld would have used a sharp needle to draw through a wax ground on a metal plate. That plate was then exposed to acid, which bit away the lines, creating an image that could be inked and printed many times. The fineness of the lines gives the monk a delicate, contemplative air, but don’t be fooled. Printmaking in this period was a deeply social and economic activity. Images like this circulated widely, often carrying political or satirical messages. The very act of etching, with its reliance on reproducible techniques, democratized art, making it accessible beyond elite circles. Schönfeld’s choice to depict a monk, a figure associated with religious authority, further suggests an engagement with the social and political tensions of his time. So next time you see a print, remember it’s not just about the image, but also about the labor, the technology, and the society that made it possible.