Portret van koning Sancho II van Portugal 1621

This is a portrait of King Sancho II of Portugal, made by Cornelis Galle I around the turn of the 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. The magic of this image lies in the labor-intensive process of its making. Notice how the artist used closely spaced lines to create areas of shadow, and more widely spaced ones for lighter areas. It’s all about the patient, skillful hand of the engraver, who used specialized tools to create this intricate design. Each line, each dot, each tiny mark is a testament to Galle’s mastery of the medium. Prints like this one were not only works of art, but also a means of disseminating information and propaganda. The mass production of images became a powerful tool in shaping public opinion and spreading ideas. So, when you look at this print, remember that it’s not just a picture of a king. It’s also a product of skilled labor and a reflection of the social and political forces at play in early modern Europe.