The bust of Seneca, in a niche 1615 - 1625

Lucas Vorsterman I created this print of Seneca, sometime between 1610 and 1675, using engraving. Think about the labor involved in creating this image. Engraving is an intaglio process, where the artist carefully carves lines into a metal plate, which then holds ink to transfer the image onto paper. Notice the density of the marks creating tone and shadow, and the fineness of the lines describing Seneca's face and musculature. The deliberate use of hatching builds up the forms, giving them volume and depth. Vorsterman was a skilled printmaker, and his technical expertise is evident in the precision of the engraved lines and the subtle gradations of tone. The print's texture invites us to appreciate not only the artistic skill involved but also the broader context of printmaking as a crucial means of disseminating knowledge. By understanding the material, the making, and its context, we appreciate Vorsterman's Seneca as more than just an image; it's a testament to the enduring power of craft.