Portret van Hugo Balbelus c. 1597 - 1669

This is a portrait of Hugo Babelus, made by Theodor de Bry sometime before 1598. It's an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin. The precision of the lines is really remarkable. Notice how the varying density of marks creates a sense of tone and volume, defining Babelus’s features and clothing. De Bry would have built up these tones gradually, working from light to dark. This required not only skill, but also patience. Think of the social context here: the print medium allowed images and ideas to circulate widely. This portrait could have been reproduced many times over, each impression requiring a careful application of ink and pressure. The resulting prints would have been relatively affordable, making them accessible to a broad audience. Engravings like this one collapse the distinction between art and craft. The final print might be seen as a work of art, but its creation depended on the skilled labor of the engraver, and the mechanics of print production.