Praalbed van Albrecht V, hertog van Beieren 1579

This print by Peter Weinher depicts the lying in state of Albrecht V, Duke of Bavaria. It was made using engraving, a process of incising an image onto a metal plate. The fine lines, all made by hand, create an incredibly detailed scene. The material of the print – humble paper and ink – belies the opulence of the scene. We see the Duke laid out with elaborate candles and decoration. The work commemorates Albrecht's life and Catholic devotion in the written text. Prints like this served as powerful tools of propaganda in the early modern era, circulating images of rulers and solidifying their power. The labor intensive process elevated the Duke's image, making him seem almost divine. It reminds us that even seemingly simple materials can be imbued with significant social and political meaning.