Portret van doge Alvise I Mocenigo c. 1570 - 1572

This portrait of Doge Alvise I Mocenigo is an engraving, made by an anonymous artist. This printmaking technique involves cutting lines into a metal plate, applying ink, and then transferring the image to paper. The image is defined by line work. It's a relatively efficient means of production. Think about the labor involved - the artist designing the image and painstakingly incising it onto the plate, versus the relative ease of producing multiple impressions. In this way, engraving democratizes the image, making it available to a wider audience. Consider the Doge himself, his clothing and the sword that signify power. Note the contrast between the Doge's opulence and the relatively accessible medium of print. This brings up questions about class and consumption. Who was this image intended for? How does its mode of production reflect and reinforce social hierarchies? Understanding the materials, making, and social context of this engraving allows us to appreciate its complexities, bridging the gap between fine art and craft.