Portret van Joannes Antonius de Maroulle in ovale lijst met guirlande 1726 - 1733

Simon Thomassin created this print of Joannes Antonius de Maroulle using etching and engraving techniques. These processes involve cutting lines into a metal plate, applying ink, and then pressing the plate onto paper. Look closely, and you can see how Thomassin varied the depth and density of his lines to create tone and texture. This is particularly visible in the delicate rendering of de Maroulle's face and hair, as well as the ornate garland surrounding the portrait. Prints like this were not just about artistic skill. They were products of a complex, highly organized commercial system. Printmakers often worked collaboratively, specializing in different aspects of the process. The prints themselves were relatively inexpensive, making images accessible to a wider audience than paintings. So, when we look at this portrait, we're seeing not just the image of a man, but also evidence of the skilled labor and commercial networks that brought it into being. It is a reminder that every work of art is also a product of its time and place.