Portret van graaf Polycarpus van Kuenburg, bisschop van Gork en proost van Salzburg 1674

Joannes van de Berg created this portrait of Count Polycarpus van Kuenburg using engraving, a printmaking process demanding skill and precision. Engraving involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, usually copper. The incised lines hold ink, and when the plate is pressed onto paper, the image is transferred. The sharpness of the lines and the fine details, seen here in the Count’s face and elaborate garments, are characteristic of this technique. It’s a laborious method, where the quality of the print depends entirely on the engraver's control and expertise. Consider the social context: printmaking allowed for wider distribution of images, making portraits like these accessible to a broader audience. The very act of creating this engraving, with its meticulous labor, speaks to the Count’s status and the value placed on representing his image. Appreciating the craft involved gives us insight into the cultural and economic forces at play.