Portret van Benedictus XIV 1728 - 1768

This is a portrait of Benedictus XIV, made by Johann Andreas Pfeffel, an engraver. The image is achieved through meticulous cuts on a metal plate, likely copper, which is then inked and printed. Notice the fine lines which create the textures of fabric, skin, and even light. Look closely, and you can appreciate how much time and effort went into the hatching and cross-hatching effects, which give depth to the image. Engraving like this was a key part of the print industry, enabling the mass reproduction of images. So while this may seem like a traditional portrait, it’s also a product of a burgeoning media landscape. Pfeffel’s skills would have been in high demand, as prints were used for everything from book illustrations to political propaganda. This portrait, therefore, sits at the intersection of art, craft, and the machinery of early capitalism. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images carry complex histories of labor and production.