Portret van de Augustijn Ludovicus de Montoya 1636

This portrait of Ludovicus de Montoya was made by Cornelis Galle I, likely in the early 17th century. It’s an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, probably copper, and then printed onto paper. Engraving was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process. Galle would have used specialized tools called burins to carve the design, line by line, into the metal. The depth and density of these lines determine the tonal range of the print. The image’s crispness is a direct result of the engraver's expertise. Prints like this played a vital role in disseminating images and ideas across Europe. They were relatively affordable and could be reproduced in large numbers, making them a key medium for portraiture, religious imagery, and scientific illustration. They represent an early form of mass media, tied to the rise of print culture and expanding markets for art. This portrait, therefore, speaks to the growing importance of skilled craftsmanship in a rapidly changing world.