Portret van Willem Lodewijk, graaf van Nassau-Dillenburg 17th century

This small portrait of Willem Lodewijk, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg, was produced anonymously using engraving, a printmaking technique dating back to the 15th century. The process involves cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then transferring the image to paper under high pressure. If you look closely, you’ll notice how the crisp, precise lines create subtle tonal variations. The engraver has skillfully captured the texture of Lodewijk's beard and the elaborate details of his ruffled collar and armor. While engravings like this may seem simple, they were an important part of a rapidly developing media landscape. Printmaking enabled the relatively inexpensive production of images, which spread information and ideas across Europe. This artwork testifies to the rise of visual culture and the increasing circulation of images in early modern society. It challenges any strict separation of fine art and mass media.