Portret van Lodewijk August van Bourbon 1703

Pierre Drevet made this portrait of Lodewijk August van Bourbon using engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, which then holds ink and transfers the image to paper. Look closely, and you will see how Drevet meticulously built the image from thousands of tiny lines. These lines don't just record the likeness of Lodewijk August, they also simulate the texture and sheen of his armor, the weight of the crown he holds, and the drape of the fabric behind him. The controlled, repetitive labor required for engraving mirrors the discipline and hierarchy of the courtly life it depicts. Engraving was a key technology for disseminating images and ideas, essential for maintaining power in the era of aristocratic rule. The very process of engraving, with its emphasis on precision and control, served to reinforce the social order, and highlights the labor involved in producing and maintaining status. So, the next time you see an engraving, consider not just what is depicted, but also the skilled work and social context embedded in its making.