Portret van Simeon Joseph Barbot 1691 - 1695

Pieter van Schuppen created this print of Simeon Joseph Barbot using engraving techniques. This intaglio process involves cutting lines into a metal plate, applying ink so it fills the recesses, and then using a press to transfer the image to paper. Note the incredible amount of labor that went into creating the image. Each line had to be carefully incised to build the image and create the textures and tones seen, from the intricate lace collar to the luxurious wig. The artist meticulously captured the sitter's likeness, but also conveyed status and wealth. The printmaking process had its own social context, and the proliferation of prints democratized images, making them more accessible to a wider audience. This print is not only a portrait, but also an artifact of a specific moment in the history of art and technology, reflecting the dynamics of labor, class, and consumption.