Ronde cartouche met het portret van Tibullus 1579 - 1580

This print, “Ronde cartouche met het portret van Tibullus,” was created anonymously using engraving, a method of cutting lines into a metal plate and then using ink to transfer that image onto paper. Engraving like this relies on skilled labor and specialized tools, and it's worth pausing to consider the sharp contrast between the intensive work required to produce the printing plate, and the relative ease of multiplying impressions once that plate has been made. The image presents a portrait of Tibullus, framed by an ornamental cartouche. The lines are crisp, allowing for refined details like the texture of the hair and the subtle shading of the face. The inscription around the portrait adds a layer of intellectual depth, referencing classical learning and the dissemination of knowledge. We can appreciate the material processes and the social context in which this print was made, reminding us that even seemingly simple images are the result of complex interactions between labor, skill, and cultural values.