Portret van Maximilien de Bethune, baron van Rosny, hertog van Sully 1763

This is an engraving of Maximilien de Bethune, made by Antoine de Marcenay de Ghuy in the 18th century. The method is direct: the artist would have used a tool called a burin to manually cut lines into a copper plate. The resulting network of thin grooves holds ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. This intaglio process requires skill and precision, which are really on display here. Look closely, and you can see how the density and direction of the engraved lines create areas of light and shadow, defining the textures of skin, fabric, and armor. Engravings like this played a crucial role in disseminating images and ideas during the Enlightenment. They served as a form of mass media, allowing for the reproduction and distribution of portraits and other subjects. The labor-intensive process also highlights the value placed on craftsmanship and technical expertise at the time. This was a world before photography, and that makes all the difference.