Penning met het portret van Johan V en de namen van Portugese koningen 1706 - 1720

This circular print, made by an anonymous artist, likely dates to the 17th or 18th century, and was created using engraving, a process that intimately connects design and production. The image is achieved by carefully incising lines into a metal plate, probably copper, with a tool called a burin. The plate is then inked, and the ink is caught in the etched lines. Pressed onto paper, the design appears. Notice the fine lines and intricate details, a testament to the engraver's skill and patience. Engraving was essential for disseminating information and imagery in an age before photography. This particular example, with its portrait of Johan V and names of Portuguese kings, speaks to the power of print to document and disseminate political power. It blurs the lines between art, craft, and industry. The social context is embedded in the physical labor, technical skill, and the reproductive potential inherent in the medium. The circulation of such prints would have played a role in shaping public perception and solidifying royal authority.