Portret van Christoph Preibisius c. 1649 - 1673

Johann Reinhold Schildknecht made this portrait of Christoph Preibisius using engraving, a printmaking technique, sometime between 1639 and 1673. To make an engraving like this, the artist would have used a tool called a burin to incise lines into a copper plate. The depth and proximity of these lines determines the amount of ink held, and thus the darkness of the printed mark. The sharp, precise quality of the engraved line lends itself well to rendering the details of Preibisius's face and elaborate academic garments. Notice the contrast between the density of lines in the shadows and the relative openness of the highlights; this gives the print its tonal range. The labor-intensive process of engraving, with its demand for technical skill, underscores the sitter's social status, commemorating him as a learned and important figure. Ultimately, considering the artistry and effort embedded in this print prompts us to think about its social role, recording and celebrating the achievements of individuals within a specific time and place.