Portret van Albrecht, aartshertog van Oostenrijk 17th century

This print of Archduke Albrecht of Austria was made around the turn of the 17th century by an anonymous artist. It’s an engraving, meaning the design was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin. Ink was then applied to the plate, carefully wiped from the surface, and the remaining ink in the grooves transferred to paper under high pressure. Consider the labor involved: the skilled hand meticulously carving the image in reverse; the press operator ensuring each impression was clean and consistent. These weren’t fine artists in the modern sense, but skilled artisans working within a system of production. The fine lines create a striking contrast, defining the Archduke’s features and the intricate details of the frame. The relatively small scale suggests it was likely intended for book illustration or private devotion, bringing the image of power into an intimate setting. What was once the domain of unique painting became reproducible for all. This brings us closer to the world of mass media, and modern politics.