Portrait of Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel and Surrey 1733

This is Jacob Houbraken's print of Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel, made with engraving techniques. Look closely, and you'll see a network of tiny lines, all carefully incised onto a copper plate. The process begins with the artist meticulously carving an image into a metal plate. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Paper is laid on top, and the whole assembly is run through a press. The pressure forces the paper into the inked grooves, transferring the image. The resulting print, like this portrait, has a distinctive texture and clarity, and it is crucial to its artistic value. The precision of the engraving captures Howard's likeness, the texture of his fur collar, and the folds of the surrounding drapery. The quality speaks to the engraver's skill, and the labor-intensive process involved. Prints like these were not just about aesthetics; they were about distribution. Engravings allowed images to be reproduced and shared widely, democratizing art in a way that painting never could. So next time you look at a print, remember to appreciate the skilled work and the social context that made it possible.