Portret van Lodewijk XV op jonge leeftijd 1715 - 1746

This print, made by Leonard Schenk, depicts a young Louis XV. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with tools called burins and scorpers. The crisp lines and delicate shading are a testament to Schenk's skill. But consider the labor involved. Every line had to be meticulously cut by hand. The image is not only a likeness of a king, but also evidence of the engraver’s painstaking work. Prints like these served a crucial purpose. Before photography, they were a primary means of disseminating images, particularly of important figures. This portrait, then, is not just a work of art, but a carefully crafted piece of political communication, produced through skilled labor for a society eager to consume images of its rulers. Understanding the printmaking process helps us appreciate the layers of meaning embedded in this image, and the broader context in which it was created.