Portret van koning Sancho I van Portugal 1621

Cornelis Galle I created this portrait of King Sancho I of Portugal, sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th century, using engraving. This meticulous process involves incising a design onto a metal plate, inking the plate, and then using a press to transfer the image onto paper. The material qualities of the print – the crisp lines and controlled tonal range – reflect the engraver’s skill and labor-intensive working methods. Galle would have used specialized tools to create this image. Look closely and you can appreciate the time and dexterity it would take to produce the fine details of the armor and the king's beard. The print served as a means of disseminating images and information widely during the period. It's a reminder that even seemingly straightforward portraits are the result of a complex interplay between artistic skill, material properties, and broader social and economic forces. Examining the process by which this image was made helps us understand its cultural significance.