Portret van Jan Pietersz. Serwouters 1617

Pieter Serwouters made this portrait of Jan Pietersz. Serwouters with engraving on paper. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking technique that involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, traditionally copper. The incised lines hold ink, and when the plate is pressed against paper, the image transfers. The sharpness of the lines and the level of detail achievable speaks to the control and precision of the engraver’s hand. The medium lends itself to the creation of multiple copies, playing a crucial role in disseminating images and ideas. In the context of portraiture, engraving allowed for the production of relatively affordable likenesses, contributing to the rise of a visual culture that extended beyond the elite. The labor-intensive nature of engraving stands in contrast to the mass production of images today, inviting reflection on the changing relationship between artistic skill, technology, and the value of the image.