Portret van Ambrogio Spinola, markies de los Balbases 1614 - 1648

Andries Stock created this portrait of Ambrogio Spinola, Marquis of Balbases, using etching techniques. It's a print, made by repeatedly applying acid to a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The intensity of the printed line dictates the tones and textures we see, from the sheen on Spinola's patterned doublet to the lace trim of his ruff. Stock has carefully manipulated the etching process to convey the status of his subject. The labor-intensive nature of etching mirrors the elaborate dress of Spinola, reflecting a culture of conspicuous consumption. Prints like this one played a key role in disseminating images and ideas across Europe. They were a relatively affordable medium, and so extended the reach of aristocratic patronage. Stock was not just making an artwork, but also participating in a wider system of image production and distribution tied to labor, politics, and power. Appreciating the labor involved, and the social context of its production, allows us to see the print not only as a portrait but as a reflection of its time.