Portrait of King Henry IV of France in a decorative border 1595

Cherubino Alberti made this print of King Henry IV using an engraving technique. This involved meticulously carving lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. Look closely, and you’ll see how the linear quality of the engraving lends itself perfectly to the elaborate decorative border, filled with symbolic motifs. The crispness of the lines allows for a high level of detail, from the king's regal attire to the playful cherubs and heraldic elements. Engraving like this was a highly skilled and labor-intensive process, demanding precision and control. While the portrait itself serves to immortalize Henry IV, the print also speaks volumes about the power of reproducible images in the 16th century. It was a means of disseminating the king's image far and wide. This print shows how the technologies of making can amplify political messages, blurring the lines between artistry, craft, and propaganda.