Portret van Gernand Philipp von Schwalbach op 66-jarige leeftijd 1645

Sebastian Furck made this portrait of Gernand Philipp von Schwalbach at the age of 66, using engraving, a printmaking technique that demands meticulous skill. The image is built from precise lines incised into a metal plate, likely copper. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to physically carve the image into the plate. The depth and density of these lines create the tones and textures we see, from the delicate fabric of the background curtain to the firm set of Schwalbach’s face. This was not just a reproductive process, but one requiring considerable artistic judgment. Engraving like this, while technical, was also deeply social. It allowed for the wide distribution of images, playing a crucial role in disseminating information and shaping public opinion. Consider the labor involved: the engraver's focused work, the printer pulling impressions, the distributors and sellers. Each impression is a product of collective effort, embedded in a network of commerce and communication.