Basil (Basilius), Grand Duke of Russia 1547

Augustin Hirschvogel made this engraving of Basil, Grand Duke of Russia, on paper, sometime in the mid-16th century. It wasn't painting or sculpture, but printmaking, which was on the rise at the time. Engraving is a meticulous process. The artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see the network of fine lines that define the figure's form and clothing, the details of his fur hat and beard. Printmaking allowed for the mass production of images, democratizing art in a way previously unimaginable. It was a distinctly modern medium, perfectly suited to the burgeoning mercantile culture of the Renaissance, and enabled artists like Hirschvogel to disseminate imagery widely, connecting with a broad audience, and building their reputations. The very act of multiplying images, through labor-intensive processes, speaks volumes about the changing relationship between art, labor, and commerce during this period.