Portret van Ioannis Kigalas 1682

This print of Ioannis Kigalas was made in the 17th century by Martial Desbois, using the intaglio process of engraving. Engraving is a deeply skilled practice. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to manually carve lines into a copper plate. The depth and density of these lines determine the tones and textures of the final image. This is why the portrait has a graphic quality. Engraving was widely used for reproduction and dissemination of images, meaning that the artist served as both creator and facilitator. The method was aligned with the growing print market, making images accessible to a broader audience. Here, the emphasis is on conveying information – in this case, the likeness of a noted philosopher. So next time you see an engraving, consider the labor-intensive process behind it, and how this connects to the work's cultural and social context. It brings us closer to understanding the artist's role in shaping public knowledge.