Portret van Maria Henrietta Stuart, op 11-jarige leeftijd c. 1642 - 1665

This print of Maria Henrietta Stuart at age eleven was made by Cornelis van Dalen I, using an engraving technique. Lines are incised into a metal plate with a tool called a burin, and then ink is applied to the plate and wiped away, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The effect of the engraving is all about line – look closely, and you’ll see that the artist has used hatching and cross-hatching to build up the tones of the image. The precision of the engraving technique suits the subject matter. It is crisp, controlled, and perfect for capturing the details of Maria Henrietta’s elaborate dress and jewelry. Prints like this one played an important role in the circulation of images and ideas in the 17th century. This was before photography, so prints were a primary way for people to see portraits of important figures. The engraving process allowed for the mass production of images, making them more accessible to a wider audience. It is a reminder that even seemingly straightforward portraits are the product of skilled labor, material processes, and specific social contexts.