Karel de Stoute 1586 - 1587

This engraving of Charles the Bold was made by Hendrick Goltzius around 1600, using the refined technique of etching. Look closely and you’ll see a network of fine lines, built up by repeated biting of an acid-resistant ground. This was a laborious, skillful process; printmakers were highly valued in the early modern period. The choice of printmaking here isn't accidental. By the late 16th century, it had become essential to the creation of political imagery. This was an era of nascent capitalism, and prints were a crucial means of reproducing and disseminating images widely. The choice of etching, as opposed to other printmaking methods, speaks to the kind of image Goltzius wanted to convey. With its delicate lines and tonal gradations, etching can communicate a sense of refinement. This was important, as Charles the Bold was no longer alive at this point, but the representation of noble power still had a clear social function.