Portret van Afonso de Albuquerque 17th century

This is an engraved portrait of Afonso de Albuquerque, made by an anonymous artist. Its fine lines and precise details were achieved using a technique called engraving, where an image is incised onto a metal plate, inked, and then printed. Engraving was labor-intensive, demanding skill and precision to create the delicate lines and textures you see here. The quality of the print depended on the engraver's ability to translate an image into a series of marks on a hard surface, requiring expertise in metallurgy, toolmaking, and printing. The material qualities of the copper plate determined the fineness of the lines, while the pressure and angle of the engraving tools influenced the depth and character of each mark. The resulting print embodies the knowledge and physical effort of the engraver, whose craft bridged the gap between artistry and industrial production. This unassuming print reveals the complex interaction of materials, processes, and skilled labor in the creation of images, reminding us of the value inherent in craft and the rich history of creative production that extends far beyond traditional notions of fine art.