Portret van Joannes Banning Wuytiers 1647 - 1676

This is a portrait of Joannes Banning Wuytiers, made by Theodor Matham, using the technique of engraving. It belongs to a rich history of printmaking, where lines are incised into a metal plate, ink is applied, and then transferred to paper. The success of an engraving relies on the hand-skills of the artist, and their mastery of tools to achieve the gradations of light and shadow. Look closely, and you can appreciate the labor invested into this portrait. Every line has been carefully considered to convey the texture of skin, hair and fabric. In the seventeenth century, when this print was made, such images were important for circulating status and political power. Engravings like this were luxury goods, requiring skill and time. By considering the material and process behind this image, we can begin to understand its cultural significance.