Portret van Nuno Álvares Pereira 1722

This is a print of Nuno Álvares Pereira, made by Bernard Picart sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century. The image is achieved through engraving, a meticulous process of incising lines into a metal plate, applying ink, and then pressing it onto paper. Consider the labor involved. Each line represents a decision, a deliberate act of mark-making. The varying densities of these lines create the illusion of light, shadow, and form, bringing texture to life—from the sheen of armor to the soft folds of fabric. The print medium itself is significant; it allowed for the mass production and dissemination of images, fueling the cult of celebrity around figures like Pereira. Prints like this one played a crucial role in shaping historical narratives. By examining its making, we can appreciate the skill involved, and also the way in which images were circulated and consumed in early modern Europe. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward depictions are the product of complex social and technical processes.