Portret van Adriaan Reland 1791

This is Reinier Vinkeles's engraving of Adriaan Reland. The image is made with the technique of engraving, in which lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely and you can see the thousands of tiny cuts that make up the image. The material qualities here, such as the fineness of the lines and the way they capture light, all depend on the engraver's skill and labor. Vinkeles would have used specialized tools to achieve this level of detail. Engraving was a complex process requiring time and exacting skill, and it reflects the cultural and economic systems of its time. These prints were luxury goods, a signifier of knowledge and taste, and were part of a rapidly expanding print culture. This artwork bridges the gap between craft and fine art.