Portret van Wenzeslaus van Thun 17th century

This is a portrait of Wenzeslaus van Thun, made by Joannes van de Berg using engraving techniques. The linear quality of the engraving is evident in the fine, precise lines that define the contours of van Thun's face, clothing, and the elaborate decorative frame. The artist's hand is revealed through the controlled pressure and movement required to incise these lines into the metal plate. Notice the contrast between the smoother areas and the densely hatched sections, which create a sense of depth and volume. Engraving was a painstaking process, demanding hours of skilled labor to produce a single plate. The material qualities of the print—its ink, paper, and the very lines etched into its surface—speak to the wider social context of art production at the time. Prints like this circulated widely, disseminating images and ideas across geographical boundaries. This portrait therefore transcends its ostensible subject, inviting us to consider the labor, politics, and consumption involved in its creation.