Graaf Dirk VII van Holland 1586 - 1587

Hendrick Goltzius made this engraving of Graaf Dirk VII van Holland around 1600, using the intaglio process. Here, a metal plate, likely copper, was meticulously incised with lines to create this portrait. Look closely, and you can see the dense network of fine lines, a hallmark of engraving, that defines the form, texture, and shading. The image is reversed by the printing process, a testament to the skilled labor involved in its creation. Engravings like this were not just artistic expressions, they were also products of a sophisticated print industry. Consider the labor: from the mining of the metal, to its processing, to the artist’s work, to the printing and distribution. All of this depended on economic systems and the availability of skilled labor. By understanding the material and the making of this print, we gain a richer understanding of its historical and social context. The engraving stands as a reminder that art is not just about aesthetics, but also about the intersection of material, process, and society.