Portret van Albrecht III, hertog van Saksen 1630 - 1654

This portrait of Albrecht III, Duke of Saxony, is an engraving, meaning it was made by incising lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then pressing it onto paper. Consider the precision needed to create such fine lines, capturing the likeness of the Duke, the texture of his clothing, and the details of his armor. This wasn't just about artistic skill, but also technical mastery, suggesting an established workshop practice. The act of engraving transforms Albrecht III into a reproducible image, a commodity that could circulate widely. This hints at the growing power of the printed image in early modern Europe, and the way it could be used to project power and status. It blurs the lines between art, craft, and the emerging world of mass media.