Portret van historicus Filadelfo Mugnos op 40-jarige leeftijd after 1647

This print depicts historian Filadelfo Mugnos at age 40. It was likely made not long after that, using engraving, a subtractive process of cutting lines into a metal plate. The material reality of engraving gives this print its character. The fine, precise lines, created by the engraver's burin, define the subject’s features. The sharp cuts into the metal plate hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under great pressure. This process demands tremendous skill, indicating a significant investment of time and specialized labor. The medium influences the image’s appearance. The texture is determined by the density and direction of the engraved lines, creating tonal variations and defining forms. Note the details in Mugnos’s face, clothes, and the surrounding text and ornamentation. The act of engraving transforms the copper plate from raw material into a matrix for the reproduction of images, aligning the work with the rise of print culture and information dissemination in the early modern period. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate how this print reflects the broader cultural and economic forces at play.