Portret van Adam Lonitzer 1597 - 1599

This portrait of Adam Lonitzer was made by Robert Boissard, sometime between 1586 and 1691. It’s an engraving, a printmaking technique that demands real precision and control. The image is made by incising lines into a metal plate, applying ink, and then pressing paper onto the plate to transfer the image. The fineness of the lines speaks to the engraver’s skill. Look closely at the details of Lonitzer’s face, his beard, and the folds of his clothing. The image feels crisp. This would have required a mastery of tools and a deep understanding of the materials involved. Engraving like this was an important technology for disseminating information at this time. It allowed for the relatively inexpensive reproduction of images and texts. It was labor-intensive work, relying on specialized skills. And its purpose was to circulate knowledge – in this case, the likeness of a learned man. So, the portrait itself embodies a particular moment in the history of craft, technology, and the spread of knowledge.