Portret van Maximilian Kurtz von Senftenau 1643 - 1672

This print of Maximilian Kurtz von Senftenau was made with engraving techniques. The process involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, in this case most likely copper. The incised lines hold ink, and when the plate is pressed onto paper, the image is transferred. Notice how the varying depths and densities of lines create shading and texture, giving form to Maximilian's face and clothing. Engraving demands immense skill and precision, because every mark is permanent. It also requires physical labor, cutting against the resistance of the metal. The controlled, repetitive action speaks to a culture of craft and the skilled artisan, separate from the faster modes of industrialization. In essence, this portrait isn't just an image, but a record of a meticulous, time-intensive process. Appreciating that effort allows us to consider the value placed on skilled handwork, a counterpoint to today's world of mass production.