Portret van Adriaan van Borssele van der Hooge 1749 - 1760

This portrait of Adriaan van Borssele was made by Jacob Houbraken, using engraving, sometime around the mid-18th century. Look closely, and you can see the incredible detail achieved through this printmaking process, where lines are incised into a metal plate, then inked and transferred to paper. The precision of the engraved lines allows for a remarkable depiction of texture, from the intricate lace at van Borssele’s neck to the voluminous curls of his wig. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed image, the skilled hand meticulously working the metal to capture the likeness and status of the sitter. Engraving was not just a means of artistic expression, but also a way to reproduce and disseminate images widely. In this context, portraiture served to solidify the social standing of individuals like van Borssele, who held positions of power and influence. The print becomes a commodity, circulating within a network of exchange and reinforcing social hierarchies. Ultimately, this portrait reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum, but is deeply intertwined with the economic, social, and political forces of its time.