Portret van Jan Cornelisz. Vermeyen, Jan Gossaert, Joos van Cleve en Heinrich Aldegrever 1764

This print, made by Jan l’Admiral in the 18th century, depicts a series of portraits rendered with precise lines on paper. But let's think for a moment about the labour involved in achieving that effect. The portraits are not directly drawn; they have been achieved through a process of etching or engraving. Here, a metal plate, likely copper, would have been painstakingly carved with lines, holding ink to transfer the image onto paper. Each line represents a conscious decision, a delicate dance between the artist's hand and the resistance of the material. This medium invites replication, making art accessible. Yet, the social implications are embedded in the labour-intensive process, where the value lies in the skilled execution, highlighting the intersection of craft, artistry, and the dynamics of production. A single sheet of paper becomes a testament to the democratization of art, blurring the boundaries between high art and the broader world of making.