Portret van de jurist François Pinsson DesRiolles 1680 - 1685

This is a portrait of the jurist François Pinsson DesRiolles, made by Pieter van Schuppen. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. Engraving is an indirect process, requiring skill and time, far removed from the immediacy of drawing or painting. Look closely and you’ll see the incredible detail achieved through this technique. The fine lines create tone and texture, bringing DesRiolles’s face and clothing to life. The texture and tone are dependent on the quality of the lines and how well these have been engraved into the plate. Engraving was a key technology for disseminating images and information in early modern Europe. Prints like this allowed for the reproduction and circulation of portraits, reinforcing social hierarchies and spreading knowledge. The skilled labor involved in engraving speaks to the value placed on craftsmanship and the power of images in shaping public perception. We can truly appreciate the craft involved.