Penning met het portret van de Heilige Servaas en de namen van de bisschoppen van Tongeren 1685 - 1720

This “Penning met het portret van de Heilige Servaas en de namen van de bisschoppen van Tongeren” was produced anonymously using engraving, a printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate, which then holds ink and transfers the design to paper. The process is exacting. The creation of this image required careful planning, precision in cutting the lines, and skill in printing, illustrating a tangible investment of labor. The organization of the elements—portrait, names, dates—required a systematic approach, reflecting not only artistic skill, but also an engagement with methods of organization. The graphic quality— stark contrasts, linear precision, and tonal depth—is a direct result of the engraving. The formal qualities of the image also reflect the historical context: the interest in symbolism, the attention to detail in the rendering of the bishop’s vestments, and the incorporation of text as a decorative element. Ultimately, this print exists at the intersection of art, craft, and social communication, reminding us that even seemingly simple works carry layers of meaning embedded in their making.