Portret van Johann Bödiker 1695 - 1709

This print of Johann Bödiker was made by Johann Christoph Boecklin around 1695, using engraving. Look closely, and you'll see the image is built from thousands of tiny cuts into a metal plate, which would then be inked and pressed onto paper. This was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process, demanding absolute precision. The fine lines create subtle gradations of tone, bringing Bödiker's face and elaborate wig to life. Engraving like this wasn't just a way to make art; it was a key part of the era's information economy. Think of it as the printing press meets portraiture. It allowed images of important people to be reproduced and circulated widely, reinforcing social hierarchies. The amount of work involved speaks to the value placed on representation and the dissemination of knowledge in the 17th century. So, next time you see a print, remember it's not just an image, it's a record of skill, labor, and the social context in which it was made.