Hertog Frederik van Württemberg door Jacobus I tot Ridder in de Orde van de Kousenband geslagen, 1603 1603 - 1605

This print by Frans Hogenberg, made in 1603, depicts Jacob I inducting Hertog Frederik van Württemberg into the Order of the Garter. It’s made with the intaglio process, which means that the image is incised into a metal plate, ink is applied, and then the surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the grooves. Consider the labor involved in creating the image: a skilled artisan would have spent hours carefully etching the intricate lines into the metal. This process was highly specialized, requiring years of training. The resulting print, while reproducible, was still a product of considerable skill and effort. The choice of printmaking as a medium is significant. Prints allowed for the widespread dissemination of images, making events like this accessible to a broader audience. In this way, printmaking played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of power and status. We shouldn't underestimate the material basis of this image.