Twee portretten van Johan en Christian Friss, kanseliers van Denemarken, worden op een sokkel geplaatst door drie putti 1681 - 1746

This print, made by François van Bleyswijck, shows two portraits of Johan and Christian Friss, Chancellors of Denmark. It's an engraving, which means the artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines into a metal plate, likely copper. Ink is then applied to the plate, and the surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the carved lines. The plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you'll notice the incredible detail achieved through this process. The burin allows for very fine lines, creating subtle tonal variations and textures. The portraits themselves are framed and adorned with putti, cherubic figures, adding a sense of prestige. Engraving was a highly skilled and time-consuming craft. Prints like these would have been relatively expensive, reflecting the status of the sitters and the artistry of the printmaker. The print's existence speaks to a culture of portraiture and the desire to commemorate important figures. It reminds us that even seemingly "minor" arts like printmaking involve tremendous skill and contribute significantly to our understanding of the past.