Portret van Dirk VI van Holland 1757

Jean Jacques Flipart made this portrait of Dirk VI of Holland using engraving, a printmaking technique that dates back to the 15th century. The process starts by incising a design onto a flat surface, traditionally a copper plate, using a tool called a burin. The artist pushes the burin through the metal to create clean, precise lines. The depth and width of these lines determine how much ink they will hold. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, damp paper is laid on the plate, and both are run through a printing press under high pressure to transfer the image onto the paper. Engraving demands meticulous skill and control, involving labor-intensive processes. The result is the striking detail and tonal variation seen here in this official portrait, which reflects both the engraver’s skill and the sitter’s status. The art lies not only in the image, but also in the intricate labor and craft involved in its production.