Portret van Andreas Mergilet c. 1588 - 1622

This print of Andreas Mergilet was made by Jacques Granthomme, sometime in the 17th century. It’s an engraving, which means the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper. The engraver would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into the plate. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. High pressure is then used to transfer the ink to paper, creating a print. The density of lines determines the shading and texture, which you can see clearly in Mergilet’s face and clothing. The inscription and the frame are also made with these fine lines. Engraving demands not just artistic skill but also precise technical knowledge of metallurgy and printing. This combination of craft, and the capacity for the print to be reproduced and circulated, made it a powerful tool for disseminating images and ideas across society at the time.