Kong Humble 1646

This is an engraving of Kong Humble, of unknown date, by an anonymous maker. Its fine lines were created by incising into a metal plate, likely copper, which was then inked and printed onto paper. Consider the etcher’s labor to render this image. The meticulous work required focused skill and time. Engraving like this was a key technology for circulating images, acting as a kind of proto-photography. It allowed for the distribution of royal portraits, shaping public perception of power. The print flattens Humble into a symbolic figure through its lines. The image of the King, meant to project authority, is here rendered in a repeatable, reproducible format. By focusing on the making of this print, we can understand how even seemingly straightforward portraits are embedded in broader social and technological systems. This small print reveals the connection between art, labor, and the construction of identity.