Portret van Sebastien Spindler c. 1640 - 1680

This is Cornelis van Caukercken's "Portret van Sebastien Spindler," made sometime in the 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin. The material here is crucial. Metal engraving was the perfect medium for the image it bears. The hard, precise lines evoke Spindler's armor, and the social class to which he belongs. Think of the labor that went into producing both the portrait and the suit of armor. One by the engraver Caukercken, and the other by an armorer. Both are skilled tradespeople, who give material form to a patron’s ambition. This was a commercial endeavor. Multiple impressions could be made from the plate. The print would circulate widely and promote Spindler’s image far beyond his immediate circle. By attending to these material details, we can appreciate the convergence of artistry, craft, and social context inherent in this portrait. It asks us to consider relationships between production, representation, and social status in the early modern era.