Portret van U. van Salis 18th century

This engraving of U. van Salis was made anonymously, and we don't know exactly when. It's a print, made by incising lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then pressing paper against it. Look closely, and you’ll see a network of fine lines, all carefully placed. The engraver skillfully uses these to create the illusion of form, texture, and light. The sharp lines of the engraving give a sense of precision, suiting the depiction of this man. The formal dress and wig speak to wealth and status. Engraving like this was labor-intensive, yet the resulting prints could be reproduced. This made images more accessible to a wider audience, and they played an important role in circulating information and ideas. The print medium thus sits at the intersection of skilled handcraft and industrial production. Recognizing the immense labor required to produce this image helps us appreciate its significance.