Frederik Reedtz 1655 - 1659

This print of Frederik Reedtz was made by Albert Haelwegh, likely in the mid-17th century. The medium is engraving, a printmaking process that demands careful labor. Using a tool called a burin, the artist incises lines directly into a metal plate. This requires a high degree of skill, and the depth and spacing of the lines determine the tonal range of the final image. Looking closely, you can see the density of marks that build up the shadows and textures of Reedtz’s face, hair, and clothing. The crispness of the engraved line lends the portrait a sense of formality, befitting the sitter’s status. Engraving has a long history, prized for its ability to reproduce images with precision. Prints like these played an important role in disseminating knowledge and propagating social status. The very act of creating these minute lines was labor intensive and highlights the cultural and economic systems that supported artistic production at the time. So, in this portrait, we see not only the image of a prominent figure, but also the tangible evidence of artistic skill and labor.