Portret van Maurits, prins van Oranje 17th century

This print of Maurits, Prince of Orange, was made by an anonymous artist using engraving, a process dependent on precise cutting of lines into a metal plate. The sharp, deliberate marks capture the likeness of the Prince, but also speak to the broader social context of its making. Engraving demands considerable skill and time. The network of fine lines creates the form and shading, giving a sense of depth to the portrait. The image is a result of labor, transforming the raw material into a commodity. The print is a product of its time. Beyond its aesthetic value, it signifies the rise of print culture and its role in disseminating images of power. It blurs the lines between art, craft, and industry, inviting us to consider how modes of production shape our understanding of art.