Illustrissimo & Excellentissimo Dmo. Dno. Carolo Gustavo Wrangelio (...) 1655 - 1937

Jeremias Falck made this print of Carl Gustav Wrangel using engraving, a process rooted in precision and labor. The image’s character comes from the sharp lines incised into the copperplate with a burin. Look closely, and you’ll see how the density and direction of these lines create tone and texture, describing everything from the sheen of Wrangel’s armor to the billowing clouds behind him. Each line is a deliberate act, demanding meticulous skill. Engraving like this was crucial for disseminating images and information in the early modern period. But it was also tied to power. Prints like this one served to amplify the status of their subjects, like this triumphant portrayal of Wrangel. The very act of creating and distributing such an image underscores the social and political context in which it was made. Next time you look at a print, remember that it represents not just an image, but a whole world of craft, labor, and social meaning.