Portret man 1695

This small portrait of a man was made in metal by an artist known only as Monogrammist DGVH. It is hard to know for sure, but the medium is likely silver, worked in repoussé, a technique of hammering the image from the reverse to create a low relief. The material itself is critical here. Silver has always been a store of value, but also a means of display. Unlike a painted portrait, which might be commissioned by the sitter, this object seems destined for the market. The maker has chosen a material that conveys a sense of luxury but also allows for multiple identical images to be made. The question is, who was the target audience for these portraits? Were they wealthy enough to afford an object made of precious metal? The high level of skill involved raises the status of this object above mere manufacture. We can appreciate how materials, making, and context all play a crucial role in fully understanding the artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.