Portret van Hendrik Arnaud 1765

This print of Hendrik Arnaud was made by Nicolaas van Frankendaal in 1763, using engraving techniques. It’s a process based on the careful, skilled manipulation of metal, and it offers some interesting insights into how we think about labor. Engraving requires the artist to incise an image into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The precision and detail of this image speaks to Van Frankendaal’s mastery, and how he used tools to achieve such clarity of line and tone. Note the fine hatching that creates the shadows on Arnaud's face and clothing. Engraving was a labor-intensive process, which makes you consider the economic realities of art production in the 18th century. The value of this print lies not only in its aesthetic qualities, but also in the time and skill invested in its making. It’s a reminder that all art, even that which appears effortless, is the product of labor. It makes you question distinctions between art and craft.