Portret van Johanna van Brabant, gemalin van Wencelaus I after 1661

This portrait of Johanna van Brabant was made by Pieter de Jode the Younger, sometime in the 17th century. It’s an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, probably copper. The plate would have been inked, and then pressed onto paper. The engraver’s skill is evident in the rendering of Johanna’s features and elaborate costume. Look closely, and you can see the thousands of tiny lines that build up the image. Each one was cut by hand, demanding remarkable patience. And of course, a single plate could be used to make hundreds or even thousands of impressions, so the labor was multiplied many times over. Engravings like this were not just works of art, but also a form of mass media. They circulated widely, spreading ideas and images across Europe, at a time when printed pictures were still relatively rare. So, in considering this portrait, it is important to remember the complex relationship between handcraft, industrial production, and the dissemination of cultural values.