Portret van Françoise Athénaïs de Rochechouart 1666 - 1707

This is a portrait of Françoise Athénaïs de Rochechouart, made by Gérard Edelinck. The medium here is engraving, a printmaking technique that relies on the precise, laborious cutting of lines into a metal plate. The image's character is very much bound up with that process. Notice how the regular, closely placed lines create areas of shading, defining the sitter's features and the elaborate folds of her dress. Also consider the work required to make this image; the engraver had to be highly skilled, capable of translating the likeness of a person into a network of lines. Engraving also speaks to the social context of the image. As a print, it could be reproduced and distributed widely, making the sitter's image available to a broad public. It’s a reminder that all art is a product of skilled labor, and that even a portrait of an aristocrat is made possible by the work of artisans. By considering the materials, the making, and the social context of this print, we gain a deeper appreciation of its full meaning.