Portret van Paul Schede c. 1588 - 1622

This engraving of Paul Schede was made by Jacques Granthomme. The image is created by cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. Look closely, and you can see the matrix of tiny engraved lines that build up the image, defining the folds of Schede’s elaborate ruff and patterned jacket. The very act of creating these prints, in multiples, was part of a new economy. The image also showcases how people began to assert their individuality in an era that demanded greater recognition for skilled, specialized labor. The act of engraving, like other forms of craftsmanship, became a source of personal and professional pride. Considering materials, techniques, and contexts helps us to understand how artworks reflect the values of the people who made them, and the societies in which they lived, complicating our understanding of labor, politics, and consumption.