Portret van Jacob van Schuppen met bontmuts 1714

This print of Jacob van Schuppen with a fur hat was made by Jan van der Bruggen. It’s an engraving, which means the image was incised into a metal plate – probably copper – then inked and printed. Think about the skill involved here. The engraver used tools called burins to meticulously carve lines into the metal. The depth and spacing of these lines created the illusion of light and shadow. Notice the fine details in Van Schuppen's face and the texture of his fur hat, which are made possible by this laborious process. Prints like this were often made in multiples, a kind of early form of mechanical reproduction. They democratized access to imagery, allowing portraits and other subjects to circulate widely. While only the wealthy could afford painted portraits, a print like this would have been more accessible. It’s a fascinating example of how artistic skill could be applied to multiply images for a growing public. This print bridges the gap between fine art and a form of mass media.