Titelprent met het portret van Louis Roupert 1668

Louis Cossin created this print, “Title Print with the Portrait of Louis Roupert,” sometime in the 17th century. Cossin was working in a Dutch Republic that had established itself as a major center for trade, art, and intellectual exchange. The portrait captures Roupert, an artisan, surrounded by his tools and designs. This was a period where the rise of a merchant class meant an increased demand for luxury goods, allowing artisans like Roupert to gain prominence. Cossin's choice to depict Roupert with such dignity challenges the traditional hierarchy that often relegated artisans to the margins of society. The meticulous details—the lace cuffs, the arrangement of his tools—speak to the growing recognition of craftsmanship as a form of artistry. The print then, is not just a portrait, but also a statement about the changing social landscape and the value of skilled labor in the Dutch Golden Age.