Portret van Willem V van Beieren 1588 - 1595

Johann Sadeler I made this print of Willem V van Beieren. It's an engraving, meaning that Sadeler used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed. It’s an indirect process, requiring a good deal of planning and skilled execution, the opposite of spontaneous gesture. You can see the extraordinary level of control in the fine lines defining Willem’s face. The print medium had a huge impact on the European economy. It allowed for images to be widely distributed, thus functioning as a form of propaganda. The combination of labor and material - in this case Willem's portrait - effectively turned him into a valuable commodity. The material and making of the print were therefore integral to its purpose, as it served the Duke's political agenda. So, next time you look at a print, don't just admire the image. Consider the labor and social context that made it possible.