Portret van Philip Herbert 4e graaf van Pembroke, 1e graaf van Montgomery 1627 - 1636

This print, depicting Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke, was made by Robert van Voerst, a Flemish printmaker who was active in England in the 17th century. The key to understanding this image lies in the method by which it was made: engraving. This is an intaglio process, meaning that the image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely, and you'll notice the dense network of fine lines that define Herbert's features, his elaborate lace collar, and the luxurious fabric of his robes. Van Voerst was a master of this technique, using the burin to create subtle tonal gradations and textures. The resulting print is not just a portrait of an individual, but also a testament to the skill and labor of the engraver. Consider too that printmaking was a key technology in the early modern era, allowing images to be widely disseminated. This portrait, then, speaks not only to Herbert's status as an aristocrat, but also to the power of print to shape public perception. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are the product of complex social and technical processes.