Graven Willem XXII en Willem XXIII, gravin Margaretha XXIV en graven Willem XXV en Albrecht XXVI Possibly 1584 - 1652

These prints of Willem XXII en Willem XXIII, gravin Margaretha XXIV en graven Willem XXV en Albrecht XXVI were created by Hendrick Goltzius. The prints were produced sometime before 1617 using the technique of engraving, a process that demands meticulous skill. An engraver uses a tool called a burin to manually carve lines directly into a metal plate, in this case copper. The density and depth of these lines determine how ink is held, and thus the tonal range of the final print. This process is labor-intensive and requires a high degree of precision. Prints like these were more than just artworks; they were a form of mass communication. The ability to reproduce images meant that ideas, portraits, and stories could circulate widely, shaping public opinion and cultural identity. These prints immortalizing the counts Willem are a clear example of this. By emphasizing the material and the making of these prints, we recognize the role of skilled labor and craft in the creation and dissemination of visual culture.