Portret van Jan Baptist Houwaert after 1583

This is a portrait of Jan Baptist Houwaert, made by an anonymous artist using the technique of engraving. Engraving involves incising an image onto a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely, and you can see the fine lines that define the subject's features. The density and direction of these lines create shading and texture, giving the portrait depth and detail. The process requires considerable skill and precision; the engraver needed a steady hand to create these lines. The resulting image is one that captures the likeness and status of the subject. Engraving had a clear relationship to capitalism, it was reproducible in multiples, and widely distributed. It was a commercial form of image making that had a profound impact on visual culture, by extending portraiture to a wider audience. This artwork is more than a simple image; it shows the labour, skill, and social context involved in its creation.