Portret van Matthias van Oostenrijk 1585 - 1604

This engraving of Matthias of Austria was made by Karel van Sichem around the turn of the 17th century. It's printed on paper, an everyday material that had become increasingly available thanks to the rise of the printing press. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning the image is incised into a metal plate, ink is applied, and then the surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the grooves. The plate is then pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see the crisp, precise lines that define Matthias's features and attire. The process itself speaks to the broader context of the time, when printmaking was a key technology in disseminating information and images, and the circulation of such images contributed to social mobility, and new aesthetic standards. The portrait testifies to the era's focus on luxury and display, seen in Matthias's elaborate ruff and decorative garments. But don't forget the skilled labor and technical processes involved in bringing this image to life; it's a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can carry immense cultural and historical weight.