Portret van Remigius Driutius 1650 - 1750

This is a portrait of Remigius Driutius, printed anonymously on a page from a book. Look closely, and you'll see how the printed lines create tone and texture. The process is key here. This isn't a unique work of art, but rather a reproduction – a multiple. Though we can't know the exact method used, it likely involved etching or engraving a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto the page. This was revolutionary technology at the time, allowing images to be disseminated widely. Consider the social context: the rise of printmaking coincided with the Reformation and the spread of new ideas. This portrait, with its emphasis on Driutius's likeness and status, speaks to the growing importance of the individual and the power of images to shape public opinion. The very act of printing, of making multiples, democratized access to information and art. So, when you look at this seemingly simple portrait, remember the complex history of its making. It's a reminder that even the most unassuming objects can tell us a great deal about society, labor, and the changing world.