Cosimo II, Grand Duke of Tuscany before 1691

This print of Cosimo II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, was made by Adriaen Haelwegh using engraving on laid paper. Think about the labor involved; the artist would have used a burin to cut lines into a metal plate, carefully rendering the Duke's likeness and armor. The fineness of the lines speaks to the engraver's skill. Every mark, from the delicate shading of Cosimo's face to the intricate details of his armor, required deliberate, precise work. Prints like these circulated widely, spreading images of power. Yet, they were also products of a complex system of production, involving not only the artist, but also the papermakers, the printers, and the distributors who brought the image to its audience. Considering the time and skill required, prints like these remind us that even seemingly simple images are the result of significant work and material transformation. This elevates our understanding of the cultural and economic context in which they were produced.