Portret van Johannes Riemer 1660 - 1733

This is Engelhard Nunzer's "Portret van Johannes Riemer," an engraving. The incised lines forming the image result from a labor-intensive process. Engraving is a skilled craft, requiring the artist to use a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, typically copper. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the engraved lines, and the surface is wiped clean. When paper is pressed against the plate, the ink transfers, creating the image. The fineness of the lines, and their close proximity, give the portrait its detail. The textures of the sitter's hair and clothing are carefully described. Engraving was a key method for disseminating images and information. It made art accessible to a wider audience. While Nunzer's artistry is evident, the process also highlights the role of skilled labor in artistic production. This portrait underscores how technical expertise and craft traditions underpin even seemingly straightforward images, connecting art-making to broader social and economic structures.