Portret van Erdmuthe Sophia Markgräfin von Brandenburg-Bayreuth 1641 - 1665

This portrait of Erdmuthe Sophia, Margravine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, was made by Johann Friedrich Fleischberger in the mid-17th century. It’s an engraving, a printmaking technique that involves cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then pressing it onto paper. Engraving demands precision. Each line is carefully incised, controlling the way the ink catches the light and the dark. Look closely, and you’ll notice how Fleischberger used tiny, dense lines to create shadows and volume, giving Erdmuthe Sophia’s face a sense of depth. The texture of her hair, the folds of her dress – all are rendered through the skilled manipulation of the engraver's tools. In its time, a print like this was more than just a portrait, it was a way of circulating an image of power and status. The labor-intensive nature of engraving made these prints precious objects, accessible to a select few. Appreciating the artistry and technical skill of printmaking helps us to look beyond the image itself, and to consider the social and economic context in which it was made.