Portretten van Abraham Bloemaert en Tobias Verhaecht 1764

This print, "Portretten van Abraham Bloemaert en Tobias Verhaecht" was made by Jan l' Admiral, using the intaglio process. Here, the image is incised into a metal plate, inked, and then pressed onto paper to create the image. The material qualities of this print – the crisp lines, the tonal gradations achieved through fine hatching – speak to the skill and labor involved. Notice the level of detail in the faces and the ruffs, all achieved through careful manipulation of metal and ink. The way the burin cuts into the metal creates a tangible texture that is then transferred to the paper. The tonal depth of the print is a direct result of the artist's ability to control pressure and inking. The fact that this image was reproduced as a print also has a cultural and social significance, since it speaks to an expanding market for images. Prints allowed for wider distribution of portraits to a growing middle class, reflecting a shift in how art was consumed and appreciated. It is a clear example of how the method of production influences the cultural importance of the work.