Portret van paus Adrianus VI 17th century

This is an engraving, a print made by an anonymous artist, depicting Pope Adrian VI. The process starts with a metal plate, usually copper, into which the design is carefully incised using a tool called a burin. The artist would have used focused pressure and control to create lines of varying thickness and depth, achieving the detailed shading and texture we see here. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the engraved lines. The surface is wiped clean, and paper is pressed firmly against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. Engravings like this one were reproducible images, which played a crucial role in disseminating information and imagery across Europe. The fine lines and precision of the engraving process imbue the portrait with a sense of formality, befitting the Pope's status. This print blurs the lines between art and craft, and reminds us of the skilled labor involved in the production and distribution of images in the pre-digital age.