Christopher Iversen, kongelig renteskriver 1633

This print of Christopher Iversen, a royal scribe, was made in 1633 by Simon de Pas. It’s an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, probably copper, using a tool called a burin. Ink was then applied to the plate, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. The plate was then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The material of the metal plate allowed for incredibly fine detail, as you can see in the patterns of Iversen's clothing and the rendering of his face. This would have required intense labor and skill. Prints like this were a key technology in early modern Europe. They enabled the relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images, making them accessible to a wider audience. In the context of the time, this print served as a form of portraiture but also as a demonstration of the engraver’s skill, and the status of the sitter. It exemplifies how art, craft, and early capitalism were intertwined.