Portret van koning Filips II van Spanje 1644 - 1650

Jonas Suyderhoef made this portrait of King Philip II of Spain using engraving, a printmaking technique with a long history. To create this image, the artist would have used a tool called a burin to manually carve lines into a copper plate. The incised lines hold ink, and when the plate is pressed onto paper, the image is transferred. Note the incredible detail, achieved by the artist’s skilled hand. The qualities of the engraved lines lend a formality and precision to the king's portrait. But printmaking, as a mode of reproduction, also raises questions about the representation of power. Engravings like this one allowed the image of the monarch to circulate widely, playing a role in constructing his public image. The labor-intensive process is a key part of the work’s meaning. By considering the materials and methods used to create this portrait, we can appreciate the complex interplay of craft, technology, and social context in its production and reception.