Portret van Leonard Marius van der Goes 1652 - 1676

Theodor Matham made this portrait of Leonard Marius van der Goes in 1662, using engraving. This isn't painting or sculpture, but a printmaking technique. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a metal plate, applying ink so it would be retained in the incisions, then transferring the image to paper. Look closely, and you’ll see a complex interplay of light and shadow, achieved entirely through line. The density and direction of these lines create a remarkable sense of form and texture. The hatching suggests the soft folds of his clothing and the texture of his beard. Engraving in this period was not just a means of artistic expression, but also a way to reproduce images efficiently. Think of it as an early form of mechanical reproduction, making art more accessible to a wider audience. In this way, the work reflects the growth of a print culture, and the increasing commercialization of art in the 17th century. It collapses the distinction between high art and a more accessible form.