Portret van kunstenaar Justus Sustermans 1752 - 1762

This is Francesco Maria Francia's portrait of the artist Justus Sustermans, made using etching and engraving. It is a print, so the artwork’s physicality is determined by the incisive processes that were traditionally used to make multiple images on paper. Look closely, and you can see how the varying density of etched lines creates the tonal values: the shadows on Sustermans’s face, the folds of his clothes, the sheen of his hair. Francia would have used specialized tools to achieve this variety, including burins and needles of different sizes. These tools are associated with skilled trades and artisanal knowledge. Consider the labor involved in the production of this print. Each line represents a deliberate action, a physical engagement with the material. The artistry lies not only in the composition, but also in the mastery of the printing process. Thinking about materials, making, and context allows us to appreciate the artistry and skill involved in printmaking, and the significance of these practices within broader creative traditions.