Professor Jacob Bircherod 1624 - 1691

Hubert Schaten made this print of Professor Jacob Bircherod sometime before 1697 using engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Notice how the sharp, precise lines of the engraving capture the details of Bircherod’s face and clothing. The material qualities of the metal plate and the tools used to incise it dictate the aesthetic. Unlike the free-flowing marks of a drawing, each line here demanded careful planning and execution, a testament to the engraver’s skill and labor. Engraving was a key technology in early modern Europe, essential for disseminating information and images. Prints like this one served as a form of portraiture, circulating likenesses of important figures, and reinforcing social hierarchies. The act of producing these images involved a complex network of workshops, artisans, and patrons, reflecting the burgeoning economy of the era. This print stands as a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are the product of intricate material processes and social contexts.