Portret van Denis Talon 1661

Nicolas de Larmessin I created this print, *Portret van Denis Talon*, likely in the late 17th century using engraving. It is, on its surface, a fairly straightforward portrait. But consider the labor involved. The image is built up from many tiny lines incised into a copper plate. This was a highly skilled tradition, requiring years of training to master. The engraver used tools called burins and gravers to physically remove slivers of metal from the plate's surface, the depth of the line determining the darkness of the printed mark. The resulting print, like all prints, could then be multiplied. This made images like this more accessible to a wider public, enabling the distribution of knowledge and ideas. It also created a market for skilled artisans like Larmessin, who could earn a living through their craft. So, although the print depicts a specific individual, it also reflects broader social and economic forces at play in the 17th century.