Portret van Cornelis de Witt 1684 - 1743

This is "Portret van Cornelis de Witt" made by Jan Lamsvelt, an engraving on paper. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning the image is incised into a plate, usually copper. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into the metal, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Damp paper is placed on top, and both are run through a high-pressure press. The pressure forces the paper into the inked grooves, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see the crisp lines and fine details achieved through this process. Engraving demanded precision and skill, a testament to Lamsvelt's mastery. This wasn't just a mechanical reproduction; it was a craft, requiring artistic sensibility to translate an image into a series of lines and textures. This print makes you consider the skilled labor involved in its creation, a reminder that even seemingly simple images are the result of human effort and ingenuity.