Portret van bisschop Carolus Borromeüs 1610 - 1620

Justus Sadeler made this portrait of Bishop Carolus Borromeüs with engraving, a printmaking technique that demands absolute precision. The image is made by cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then wiping it clean so the ink remains only in the incisions. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image transfers. The engraver's skill is visible in the fineness and accuracy of the lines, and the artist has full control of the medium. Notice how the lines are closer together in the darker areas, creating subtle gradations of tone and texture, and how the evenness of the ink lends a graphic quality to the image. Engraving was a key technology for the dissemination of images, playing a crucial role in spreading knowledge, religious beliefs, and political ideas. The labor-intensive process also reflects the social context of artistic production at the time, where skilled craftsmanship was highly valued. This work bridges the gap between craft and fine art, and by understanding its materiality and making, we appreciate its cultural significance.