Portret van Frans Modius 1587

Johann Sadeler I created this copper engraving titled "Portret van Frans Modius" in 1587. Look closely, and you'll see the image is composed of thousands of tiny lines incised into a copper plate. Engraving is an intaglio process: the artist carves an image into a metal plate, applies ink, and then wipes the surface clean. Paper is then pressed against the plate with great force, transferring the ink from the recessed lines. This allows for highly detailed images, as we see in the rendering of Modius's face, ruff, and sword. The lines are not just descriptive, but also create tone and texture. The density of the lines determines the darkness of an area, and the direction of the lines can suggest the form of an object. This skilled, labor-intensive process was essential for disseminating images, texts and knowledge in early modern Europe, playing a crucial role in cultural and intellectual exchange. The print could then be sold widely, a vital part of the emerging information economy.