Buste van een man met borstharnas, naar rechts 1646 - 1670

Hubert Quellinus created this engraving of a man with a breastplate in the 17th century. This isn't painting or sculpture, but printmaking, a process that relies on repeatable images, and suited to the wider distribution of imagery. The image is made by incising lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The quality of the lines speaks to Quellinus's skill, from the sharp details of the face, to the subtle shading, and the heavy background that fills the composition. This technique allowed Quellinus to create an image that mimics the look of a sculpted bust, even capturing the texture of stone. Prints like these were often collected in albums, serving as a kind of visual encyclopedia. The ease of reproducing images meant that ideas, styles, and portraiture could circulate widely, influencing tastes and artistic practices across Europe. This wasn't just about art, it was about the rise of a visual culture, supported by skilled hands and a growing market for images.