Portret van Abel Brunier 1600 - 1667

Michel Lasne made this portrait of Abel Brunier in 1643 using engraving. This is an intaglio process, where the image is incised into a metal plate, then filled with ink and transferred to paper under pressure. Look closely, and you’ll see how the lines create the image. The density and direction of the marks define the forms, from the soft curls of Brunier's hair to the solemn planes of his face. See how the engraver used hatching and cross-hatching to build up areas of shadow and volume. Lasne was a master of this technique, which was essential for disseminating images in early modern Europe. It’s important to remember that prints like these were not just art objects; they were also a form of mass communication, spreading ideas and images across geographical boundaries. The craft of the engraver was therefore deeply entwined with the social and political landscape of the time. Considering this portrait, we begin to question distinctions between art, craft, and media.