Portret van Salomon Brennwald 1706 - 1712

Johannes Meyer the Younger made this print of Salomon Brennwald from an engraving, a process demanding precision, patience and skill. The engraver would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a copper plate, creating grooves to hold ink. The depth and density of these lines determine the tonal range of the print. This technique, a form of reproduction, allowed for distribution of images to a wider audience. The portrait itself, with its detailed rendering of Brennwald's features and attire, gives us insight into the society of the time. Note the careful attention paid to his elaborate collar, a signifier of status. The book he holds suggests intellectual and religious authority. The inscription, almost as important as the image, informs the viewer of his virtues and accomplishments. Prints like these blur the boundaries between art and craft. While the design and execution require artistic skill, the reproductive nature of engraving places it within a more commercial context. It reminds us that art-making is always embedded in social and economic realities.