Portret van kardinaal Emmanuel Théodose de la Tour d'Auvergne 1669 - 1679

This print of Cardinal Emmanuel Théodose de la Tour d'Auvergne was made by Giuseppe Maria Testana, probably around 1669. The process of engraving, where lines are incised into a metal plate, is critical to understanding the image. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to create the lines, with the depth and density determining the tones and textures we see. Look closely, and you'll notice the consistent direction of the lines. This not only models the Cardinal’s face and clothing, but also creates the background. The act of carving and printing this image—a laborious task—would have been part of a system of mass communication, a means of disseminating the Cardinal’s image. This work sits at an interesting intersection: it’s a carefully crafted object, yet intended for wide circulation. It challenges our traditional definitions of art, design, and craft.