Portret van Christoph Roth after 1653

Peter Troschel made this portrait of Christoph Roth, a banker from Nüremberg, using engraving, a printmaking technique. The image is created by cutting lines into a metal plate, applying ink, and then pressing the plate onto paper. The stark contrast between the dark lines and the light paper gives the portrait its distinctive look. Look closely, and you’ll notice how Troschel varied the depth and density of the engraved lines to create areas of shadow and highlight, adding depth and volume to Roth's figure. The act of engraving itself requires immense skill and labor, a testament to the value placed on craftsmanship. What’s interesting is that printmaking allowed for the mass production of images, making them accessible to a wider audience. This reflects the growing importance of trade and commerce in the 17th century, and perhaps speaks to Roth's status as a prominent member of society. This artwork reminds us that even seemingly simple portraits can reveal complex relationships between materials, making, and social context.