Portret van sultan Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri 1549 - 1575

This small portrait of Sultan Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri was likely made using an engraving technique. The image is created by carefully cutting lines into a metal plate, which would then be inked and pressed onto paper. This process demands a high degree of skill and precision. Notice the incredible level of detail in the Sultan’s beard and turban. The engraver would have used specialized tools to create the fine lines and textures that define the Sultan's features and clothing. This mode of production made it possible to disseminate images widely, contributing to the circulation of knowledge and ideas, but also establishing a certain cultural and aesthetic value. The amount of work involved in producing each print would have been considerable, reflecting both the artist's labor and the Sultan's status. As such, the image would have held considerable symbolic weight. Considering this artwork through the lens of materials and making helps us understand its historical and cultural significance.