Jonge man biedt blad met theses aan before 1676

This print, made by Richard Collin around the mid-17th century, is an engraving: a design incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. The technique relies on specialized skills, tools, and workshops, and it was crucial for disseminating information and imagery during the early modern period. Look closely, and you can see the crisp, precise lines that define every detail, from the folds of the figure’s robes to the distant landscape. The quality of the impression is everything in this process; note the deep blacks and subtle gradations of tone. The image's subject matter reflects the cultural and intellectual preoccupations of its time, in particular its self-conscious display of learning. The young man’s “theses,” presented to the seated scholar, represent a tradition of academic debate. Through the skilled craft of engraving, Collin has captured a moment of intellectual exchange.