Portret van Elizabeth I Tudor 1612 - 1652

This portrait of Elizabeth the First, engraved by an anonymous artist, showcases the power of the line as a means of representation. The process here begins with a metal plate, most likely copper. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to incise lines into the surface, creating grooves that would hold ink. The varying depths and densities of these lines give form to the queen's likeness, her elaborate garments and jewelry, and the surrounding text. Look closely, and you can see how the engraver has used hatching and cross-hatching to create areas of shadow and volume. While seemingly simple, engraving demands a high level of skill and control. The engraver must be precise and patient, as any mistakes are difficult to correct. The resulting print, a product of skilled labor and technical expertise, serves as a testament to the enduring power of traditional making in an age of increasing mechanization.