Portret van Karel Lodewijk, keurvorst van de Palts 1645 - 1668

Adriaen Millaert made this portrait of Charles Louis, Elector Palatine, using engraving, a printmaking technique with a rich history. Engraving involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, usually copper. The incised lines hold ink, and when the plate is pressed onto paper, the image is transferred. Millaert's skill is evident in the fine, precise lines that define Charles Louis’s features and clothing. Look closely and you’ll see how he varied the thickness and density of the lines to create areas of light and shadow, giving the portrait depth and texture. The technique demands meticulous labor and control. Engraving was a key method for disseminating images and information in the early modern period. Prints like this one allowed for the widespread distribution of portraits, reinforcing power and status. Understanding the material process of engraving helps us appreciate its role in shaping visual culture and social hierarchies. It bridges the gap between artistic skill, technological innovation, and the representation of power.