Portret van Jacobus Laurentius 1642 - 1692

This portrait of Jacobus Laurentius was made in 1637 by an anonymous artist, using engraving. Look closely, and you'll see that the image isn't drawn, but rather incised into a metal plate. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines into the metal, creating grooves that hold ink. Then, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Engraving was a highly skilled craft, demanding precision and control. The varying thickness and density of the lines create a sense of depth and texture, bringing Laurentius's face and clothing to life. The lettering is also skillfully rendered, demonstrating the engraver's mastery. But engraving was also a reproductive technology. Prints like this one allowed images to be widely disseminated, contributing to the growth of visual culture and the spread of knowledge. It's a great example of how a traditional craft could be harnessed to new social and economic ends. We can appreciate the technical skill involved, but also consider its role in a rapidly changing world.