Portret van Adam van Halen after 1704

Pieter Sluyter made this engraving of Adam van Halen sometime between 1675 and 1733. Here, line engraving is used to great effect: the image is created by incising lines into a metal plate, which then holds ink and prints the image onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see how Sluyter varied the lines to give the image a sense of light and shadow. The density of the lines creates darker areas, giving depth to van Halen's face and clothing. This technique, requiring precise handwork, reflects a time when printmaking was both a craft and an art form. Engravings like these served as a means of disseminating images and ideas, making them accessible to a wider audience. The portrait not only captures the likeness of van Halen but also demonstrates the skill and labor involved in the printmaking process, bridging the gap between fine art and craft.