Portret van Johann Sigmund von Pfinzing 1730

Georg Martin Preissler made this print of Johann Sigmund von Pfinzing using engraving, a process that involves cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then pressing paper against it. Engraving is an artisanal practice demanding specialized skills and training. The medium allows for incredible detail, and also a certain graphic quality. Just look at the elaborate wig, the fine lace collar, and the ornate patterns in the drapery! Each of these details has been achieved by someone's labor. Prints like these were essentially luxury multiples, allowing for the relatively widespread dissemination of images among elites. This one celebrates the life and legacy of Johann Sigmund von Pfinzing, so it really functioned as a kind of high-end propaganda. Considering the social status of both the sitter and the likely audience, this print encourages us to reflect on the relationship between artistry, labor, and the maintenance of social hierarchies.