Reproductie van een gravure van een portret van Pieter de Jode (II) door Pieter de Jode (II) before 1877

This is Joseph Maes’s reproduction of a portrait of Pieter de Jode II, likely made sometime in the late 19th century using a method of engraving. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking technique, where an image is incised into a plate, traditionally copper, using a tool called a burin. This requires a high degree of skill and control, as the depth and angle of the lines determine the darkness and quality of the printed image. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The process is labor-intensive, demanding both physical strength and mental concentration. Before the advent of photography, engraving played a crucial role in disseminating images, allowing for the mass reproduction of portraits and artworks. This print offers us insight into the division of labor in the art world, where reproductive engravers like Maes helped to popularize the work of other artists. It blurs the line between original and copy, highlighting the importance of craft in mediating artistic ideas.