Portret van Willem III, prins van Oranje 1670 - 1749

This print of Willem III, Prince of Orange, was made using an engraving technique by an anonymous artist. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning the image is cut into a surface, in this case a metal plate, and the incisions hold the ink. The engraver would have used a tool called a burin to manually carve lines into the metal, a labor-intensive process requiring immense skill. Look closely, and you can see the network of fine lines that create the illusion of shadow and form. The image is crisp and precise. The choice of engraving speaks to the print’s purpose: to disseminate an image of power and authority. Unlike the more expressive, painterly qualities of etching, engraving offered a level of control and detail that was well-suited to conveying status. The proliferation of prints like these played a crucial role in shaping public perception, extending the reach and influence of the sitter far beyond the circles of the court.