Wolfgang Wilhelm greve af Pfalz 1595 - 1647

This print of Wolfgang Wilhelm, Count Palatine of the Rhine, was made by Simon de Pas in the 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the design was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin. Ink was then applied to the plate, forced into the lines, and the excess wiped away. Finally, paper was laid on the plate and run through a press, transferring the ink and creating the print. The lines that define Wolfgang's features, his elaborate ruff, and the surrounding ornamentation, are all products of this process, with the varying width and depth of the lines creating light and shadow. The amount of labor involved in such a detailed engraving is considerable, reflecting the value placed on skilled craftsmanship. Consider how this contrasts with modern modes of image production. Prints like this were luxury items, requiring both artistic skill and mechanical expertise to produce. This is a far cry from the ease and speed of digital printing today, and an important reminder of the social and economic context in which this image was created.