Portret van Cornelis Abrahamsz. van Hoorn 1611 - 1615

This portrait of Cornelis Abrahamsz. van Hoorn was made by Jacob Matham using the intaglio printmaking technique of engraving. The image is made by cutting lines into a metal plate, applying ink so that it fills these recesses, and then transferring the ink to paper using a press. The fineness of the engraved lines allows for an incredible level of detail, seen especially in the face of the sitter and the lace collar. The engraver's skill is also evident in the subtle gradations of tone, achieved by varying the density and depth of the lines. Engraving was an established technique by the 17th century. The level of detail, and the relatively small scale, made engraving the perfect medium for portraiture, a growing status symbol among the merchant class of the Dutch Republic. This print is an example of a skilled artisan leveraging their technical ability, as well as exploiting the efficiency of printmaking, to create a valuable commodity for a booming market. It exemplifies how the production processes are inextricably linked to issues of labor, trade, and consumption.