Jacob Haaringh (Young Haaringh) (Pieter Haaringh) 1655

Rembrandt van Rijn made this print of Jacob Haaringh, also known as Young Haaringh, using etching and drypoint. These aren't exactly everyday materials, but they're also not unique to the world of fine art. In Rembrandt's time, they were used in other kinds of workshops as well. Look closely, and you'll see how the velvety blacks were built up through labor-intensive applications of ink. Rembrandt would have repeatedly passed the plate through the printing press to achieve this tonality. The character’s somber mood is created by the weight and darkness of the ink on the page. It’s not just an image, it’s a result of a very physical process, built up over time. The act of printing itself has social significance. It creates multiples, and in doing so, shifts the image from the realm of unique artwork to something more broadly accessible. This portrait reminds us that even the most seemingly rarefied art forms are deeply connected to processes, production, and broader social contexts.