Portret van Jacques de Solleysel 1666 - 1707

This print, portraying Jacques de Solleysel, was created by Gérard Edelinck using engraving techniques. Look closely, and you'll see that Edelinck meticulously cut lines into a metal plate, likely copper. The incised lines would then hold ink, which was transferred to paper under great pressure. This process demands immense skill and precision, transforming a simple metal sheet into a highly detailed likeness. The portrait's success depends on the engraver's ability to mimic textures and tones solely through the language of line. Beyond its technical brilliance, the print speaks volumes about the social hierarchies of its time. Consider the labor involved in the production of the wig, clothing and armor, all of which signify wealth and status. Engravings like this were luxury goods, accessible only to the wealthy elite, reminding us that art, even in printed form, has always been deeply embedded in systems of labor, politics, and consumption.