Buste van Severus 1646 - 1670

Hubert Quellinus created this print of Severus, using engraving— a process of incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. This reproductive technique was vital in disseminating images widely. Note how the quality of the engraved line defines the form of the bust, from the tight curls of hair to the folds of drapery. Look closely, and you'll see that Quellinus varied the density and weight of the lines to create areas of light and shadow. The image shows a sculpture, but it is also an artwork in its own right. Its success depends on the artist's mastery of the burin, the engraving tool. Such skilled handwork doesn't often get the credit it deserves. It’s easy to overlook the labor involved when considering the final product. Yet, without this technical expertise, the image, and all that it represents, wouldn't exist. This is an important reminder to look closely at the materials and processes of art making.