Portret van Martin van Juchen 1738 - 1815

This print by Francesco Bartolozzi presents Martin van Juchen, a military figure, rendered in ink on paper. But look closely, and you see that the core subject here is in fact his armor. Metalwork, like the kind worn by van Juchen, was a highly skilled craft, involving complex processes of forging, shaping, and polishing. The creation of a full suit of armor demanded collaboration between various artisans, each specializing in specific aspects, from the helmet to the breastplate, gauntlets, and greaves. The time and skill required for such work made it incredibly expensive, and thus a marker of status and wealth. The print aestheticizes this labor, transforming the armor into an object of art. But of course, it also served a very practical purpose: protection in battle. It is a reminder that all art, even the most refined, is embedded in material realities and social relations.