Zelfportret van David Rijckaert 1622 - 1676

This is Frederik Bouttats's print of David Rijckaert, an engraving made with a metal plate, likely copper. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper. Consider the labor involved. Not just the artist's skilled hand, carefully cutting the image in reverse, but also the mining of the copper, the refining and preparation of the plate, the making of the paper, and the eventual printing process. These are all embedded in the final result, which appears so simple at first glance. The fine lines create a sense of depth and texture, rendering the soft folds of fabric, the artist's flowing hair, and the subtle expression on his face. It's a highly reproducible image, made possible by the division of labor. The print circulates Ryckaert's image widely, but also demonstrates the commodification of artistic labor. It is a beautiful example of how close looking can reveal the complex relationship between art, craft, and industrial production.