Portret van Georg Cassander 1663 - 1707

Hendrik Bary made this portrait of Georg Cassander in the 17th Century through etching. The lines are defined and consistent, achieved by carefully incising into a metal plate, likely copper, with a sharp needle. This process, known as engraving, requires meticulous skill and control. Once the image is etched, ink is applied to the plate and then pressed onto paper, transferring the design. The final result, as seen here, is a detailed depiction of Georg Cassander, framed by ornamental borders. The visual impact of the work lies in the contrast between the dark lines and the light background. The artist has deftly manipulated light and shadow to create depth and volume, giving the portrait a lifelike quality. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, the print also tells a story about the wider social context of its time. Prints like these were a popular form of visual communication. They democratized image-making, and made it possible to circulate portraits like this one widely.