Portret van de H. Vincent de Paul 1663 - 1668

This is Pieter van Schuppen's portrait of Saint Vincent de Paul, made with engraving techniques. Van Schuppen would have used a burin to incise lines into a copper plate, a labor-intensive process demanding precision. The depth and density of the lines determine the tones of the print, and the subtlety achieved here speaks to his skill. Prints like this were a form of mass media in their day, circulating images and ideas widely. This one is not just a likeness, but an act of devotion, reinforcing the saint's image. The very act of reproducing the image through labor-intensive engraving, turns the portrait into a form of cultural capital, spreading influence. Considering the processes and social context of printmaking invites us to move beyond the image itself and recognize its role within a much broader world of production and consumption.