Johan Gols [The Artist's Father] 1578

Hendrick Goltzius created this engraving of his father around 1578, using a technique that was both craft and high art. The engraving process begins with a metal plate, usually copper, into which the design is meticulously incised. Goltzius would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines into the metal, each stroke requiring precise control. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the carved lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Look closely, and you’ll see the extraordinary detail achieved through this laborious process. The density and direction of the lines create shading and texture, giving depth to the portrait. This print elevates a common process into a refined art form, blurring the lines between craft and fine art. It demonstrates how technical skill, and sheer hard work, can transform base materials into enduring images.