Portret van Michael Albertus Francis von Schwan c. 1667

This portrait of Michael Albertus Francis von Schwan was made by Matthias van Sommer using the technique of engraving. It is essentially a printed image, created by cutting lines into a metal plate, applying ink, and then pressing paper against the surface. Look closely and you can see how the qualities of line influence the appearance of the portrait. The sitter’s elaborate wig, for instance, is delineated through dense, fine marks – an abundance of labor that parallels the expense and effort that would have gone into maintaining such a hairstyle. Note how the lines vary in thickness and density to create shading and texture, giving form to the face, clothing, and background elements. The text below the portrait is rendered in a precise, formal script. A reminder of the social status and accomplishments of the sitter, and the cultural significance of the printed image as a medium for disseminating information and establishing identity. The work invites us to consider the amount of work involved in its production, from the skilled labor of the engraver to the social and economic systems that supported the creation and distribution of such images.