Portret van Karel VI, koning van Frankrijk 1598

This print of Charles VI, King of France, was made by Jost Amman around 1580, using the technique of engraving. This was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process. First, the artist would have meticulously incised lines into a metal plate with a tool called a burin. Ink was then applied to the plate, carefully wiped from the surface, and then the image transferred to paper using a printing press. The choice of engraving, rather than other printmaking methods like woodcut, speaks to a desire for precision and detail. The fine lines create a sense of depth and texture, particularly noticeable in the king's face and clothing. Amman's technical virtuosity is on full display, but so is the social context of printmaking at this time. Prints like these were relatively inexpensive, and circulated widely. This portrait, therefore, not only presents an image of royalty, but also embodies the democratizing potential of the print medium. It brings the King’s likeness to a wider audience. It’s a powerful reminder that art is not just about what is depicted, but also about how it is made and distributed.