Stamboom van Frederik en Ottheinrich van Palts-Neuburg (plaat 15) 1535 - 1594

Jakob Clauser made this print, "Stamboom van Frederik en Ottheinrich van Palts-Neuburg", using the technique of engraving. Clauser cut lines into a metal plate, likely copper, which would have been a labor-intensive and highly skilled process, and then used ink to transfer the image to paper. The very act of producing this elaborate family tree elevates the status of its subjects. The linear precision of the engraving, combined with the intricate detail, lends an air of authority and permanence. Look closely, and you'll notice the texture of the paper itself becomes part of the image, adding depth and a tactile quality. Engraving, in this context, is not just a reproductive process. It's a means of enshrining lineage. The amount of work involved speaks to the importance of genealogy in maintaining social and political power. The print becomes a commodity, circulated and displayed as a testament to the family’s enduring legacy. By understanding the material process behind this print, we can appreciate how it actively shapes and reinforces the social structures of its time.