Portrait of Aristoteles Possibly 1574

This print of Aristotle was made in Antwerp in 1574 by Johannes Sambucus, using the intaglio technique of engraving. An engraver carves an image into a metal plate, applies ink, and then presses the plate onto paper. The crispness of the lines speaks to the engraver’s skill. But the choice of this reproductive medium also has wider significance. Printmaking was essential to the spread of knowledge during the Renaissance. Suddenly, images and texts could be disseminated widely, fostering new ideas. Consider the labor involved: from mining and refining the metal for the plate, to the hand-cranked printing press that transferred the image. This was a proto-industrial process, a precursor to modern mass production. So, while we may admire the artistry of this print, we should also appreciate it as a product of its time. It is a testament to the power of reproducible media in shaping our understanding of the world. By looking at materials, process and social context we gain a deeper understanding of the image.