Portretten van Berta E.L.O. van Amsterdam en Hanna C. van Amsterdam, beiden als herderin 1640

This print, made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, depicts two women from Amsterdam as shepherdesses. It’s an engraving – a process that involves using a tool called a burin to incise lines directly into a metal plate, usually copper. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. The fine, precise lines achieved through engraving lend themselves well to detailed portraiture. Note the textures of the women’s clothing, the delicate rendering of their features, and the landscapes behind them – all made possible by the artist's skillful manipulation of the burin. But the choice of this medium also speaks to a wider social context. Engravings like this were relatively affordable, making art accessible to a broader audience beyond the wealthy elite. The proliferation of prints facilitated the spread of ideas and images, contributing to a burgeoning visual culture in the 17th century. In this way, even a seemingly straightforward portrait can tell us a great deal about materials, making, and the society in which it was created.