Portret van Johann Ehinger II 1696

This portrait of Johann Ehinger II was created by Andreas Matthäus Wolfgang. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. Engraving was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process. The fine lines you see were meticulously carved into the metal, requiring years of training to master. It was a key technology in the early modern era. Consider the social context here. Engravings like this were often commissioned by wealthy individuals or institutions to project power and prestige. The very act of having one's portrait made in this way was a statement of status. The intricate details of Ehinger's clothing, like the elaborate ruff collar, further emphasize his position in society. The text surrounding the portrait reinforces his legacy, imbuing the image with layers of meaning. Ultimately, this print underscores how materials and making are always intertwined with social and economic realities. It challenges any simple separation of 'art' from the world of labor and power.