Philipp Ludwig Wenzel von Sinzendorf 1714 - 1740

This portrait of Philipp Ludwig Wenzel von Sinzendorf, was made by Jan van der Bruggen using engraving, a process that sits squarely between craft and print production. Engraving involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, in this case copper. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. Look closely, and you’ll notice the network of fine lines creating the tones and textures of Sinzendorf’s face, wig, and clothing. The engraver needs absolute mastery over the tool and the depth of the cuts to create the illusion of volume and light. This is painstaking work; the engraver would have spent many hours, even weeks, to complete this plate. The resulting print, which could be reproduced many times, democratized the image, making it accessible to a wider audience than an original painting. This combination of skilled handwork and reproductive technology is characteristic of the era, reflecting the rise of both artistic virtuosity and commercial enterprise. It collapses any assumed hierarchy between art and craft.