Portret van Georg Augustin von Khevenhüller 1646

This is an engraving of Georg Augustin von Khevenhüller made in 1646 by Elias Widemann. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking technique, meaning that the image is incised into a plate, typically made of copper. Look closely and you'll notice the material character of the print, and the artist’s labour. The fineness of the lines speaks to the skill required to manipulate the burin, the tool used to cut the design into the plate. The varying depths and densities of the engraved lines create tonal variations, giving the portrait depth and realism. The inscriptions surrounding the portrait and below the sitter underscore the subject's status and identity. Prints like this were a key form of mass media in the early modern period. They allowed images and information to be disseminated widely, playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion and cultural exchange. In this case, the artist’s labor and the material properties of the engraving itself converge to produce a compelling portrait, one that speaks volumes about the sitter and the society in which he lived.