Portret van Georg Weinrich 1617 - 1671

This is a portrait of Georg Weinrich, made by Johann Philipp Thelott using etching and engraving. The image comes to life through the skilled manipulation of metal plates. The artist would have painstakingly carved lines into a metal surface, inking it, and then using a press to transfer the image onto paper. The etched lines create depth and texture, capturing the details of Weinrich's face, his elaborate ruff, and fur-lined coat. The very act of repetitive mark-making speaks to the labor involved in producing such an image, which would have been made for distribution. Consider how this contrasts with the subject’s social standing. As a professor and doctor of theology, Weinrich belonged to an elite class, but the print medium allowed his image to circulate more widely, connecting him to a broader audience. Ultimately, this print is a testament to the power of reproductive media and the skill of the printmaker, blurring boundaries between high art and functional craft.