Portret van Ferdinand II, Rooms-Duits keizer 1680 - 1733

This print of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor, was made by Martin Bernigeroth, likely in the early 18th century. It is made with engraving, a printmaking technique that demands precision. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate. Consider the level of skill required to produce this image. Each line, each subtle shift in tone, has been meticulously etched by hand. Look closely, and you can see the subtle cross-hatching used to create the shadows on Ferdinand's face and clothing, and the textures of the surrounding ornamentation. The very act of engraving, with its emphasis on controlled labor, reflects the hierarchical society that Ferdinand II led. It's a fascinating reminder that even in the world of art, materials, and making processes are never neutral. They carry within them the values and priorities of their time.