Portret van een vrouw 1581 - 1585

This is an anonymous portrait of a woman, rendered with the technique of engraving. Engraving is a printmaking process, where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. The incising is done by hand, using a tool called a burin. This technique allows for the creation of fine, precise lines, which you can see defining the woman’s features and clothing. The act of engraving carries its own social context. It was a skilled trade, demanding years of apprenticeship to master. But it also allowed for the mass production of images, which in turn helped spread ideas and information more broadly, contributing to cultural exchange, albeit one often driven by the demands of commerce and power. Considering the material and the making of this print reminds us that art is never just about individual genius, but also about the skilled labor and social forces that make it possible.