Portret van Philipp Melanchthon 1670 - 1713

This portrait of Philipp Melanchthon was made by Pieter Schenk, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century. It's an etching, a printmaking process that relies on acid to bite into a metal plate, in this case likely copper. The plate is then inked and printed onto paper. Looking closely, you can see how the etched lines create a network of shading, defining Melanchthon’s features and clothing. The texture of the paper also plays a role, catching the ink and adding depth to the image. Etching, a skilled and time-consuming process, was a key technology of image production at this time, allowing for the wide dissemination of portraits and other subjects. The choice of etching speaks to a desire to efficiently reproduce this notable figure. While a painting might immortalize an important individual, the printmaking process allowed for distribution of his likeness, and thus ideas, to a wider audience. It blurs the lines between art object, commodity and agent of social change.