Portret van Karel V van Habsburg 1550

Curator: Let's discuss this print, “Portret van Karel V van Habsburg,” made around 1550 by Nicolò della Casa, currently residing here at the Rijksmuseum. This engraving, with its intricate lines and allegorical figures, strikes me as both imposing and deeply symbolic. How do you respond to it? Editor: The level of detail is really impressive! But honestly, with all the figures and text crammed in, I find it kind of overwhelming. It’s more than just a portrait; it's almost like a propaganda piece. What do you see in this piece, considering its materials and time period? Curator: Exactly! I'm drawn to the labor involved. Consider the material realities: the copper plate, the engraver's tools, the repetitive, painstaking act of incising those lines. It wasn’t just about creating an image, it was about manufacturing consent. How many prints were produced and disseminated, and who consumed them? This was early mass media, shaping public perception of Charles V. Editor: So, you're saying the act of making and distributing this print was a deliberate political act, even beyond the imagery itself? Like the social context is as important as the actual picture? Curator: Precisely. Look at the allegorical figures, they are clearly connected to Charles V political power in the area, reflecting his role and also its economical implication. This engraving transforms Charles V from a mere mortal into an almost divine figure, all facilitated by the printing process and the skilled labour involved. Is it possible that print-making would play such an important role in social transformation? Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t considered. Focusing on the 'how' and 'why' of its creation gives a completely new understanding of the piece! It also highlights how this type of portrait, even if it's from the 1500's, mirrors what we find in advertising campaigns nowadays. Curator: Absolutely! Examining the materials and means of production exposes the power dynamics embedded within the image itself, enriching our experience far beyond simply admiring it. It's all about looking beyond the surface, into the guts of its creation!