Portret van Pirro Colonna 1549 - 1575

This striking portrait of Pirro Colonna was made anonymously, using the printmaking technique of engraving. The crispness of the engraved lines gives the portrait a remarkable sense of detail. The engraver would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines directly into a metal plate, likely copper. Ink is then forced into these lines, and the image transferred to paper under high pressure. It’s a process demanding immense skill and control; each line must be precise, as there’s no going back. Look closely, and you'll see how the density of the lines creates shading and form, bringing Colonna’s features and armor to life. Engraving like this was not just a reproductive technique. It was also a means of disseminating images and ideas widely and relatively cheaply. Think of it as the social media of its day. The level of detail achieved speaks to the value placed on craftsmanship in the production of images, and the dissemination of status. This image demonstrates how so-called 'fine art' relies on craft processes and labor for its existence and circulation.