Portret van Pieter de Witte 1687 - 1691

This is Johannes Hosspanion’s ‘Portret van Pieter de Witte’, an engraving, made with ink on paper. The artist employed a printmaking process of cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then wiping it clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. When pressed against paper, the image is transferred, resulting in the fine lines and details we see here. The nature of the engraving means that this image could be endlessly reproduced. The density of marks, combined with the stark contrast between the black ink and white paper, allows for conveying intricate details, especially the lines in the face. This material process enabled Hosspanion to portray not just the likeness of Pieter de Witte but also aspects of his character and status. Engraving, as a form of reproductive technology, democratized image-making. It allowed for the widespread dissemination of portraits and other images, playing a role in shaping public perception and cultural identity, beyond the realm of painting for the elite.