Portret van Geoffrey Chaucer 1741

This is Jacob Houbraken's portrait of Geoffrey Chaucer, made in the eighteenth century and now residing at the Rijksmuseum. It's an engraving, a printmaking process where an image is incised into a plate, and then used to create multiple impressions. Think of the labor involved: the skilled hand of the engraver meticulously carving lines to capture Chaucer's likeness and the surrounding details. The material of the copper plate itself is crucial; its hardness allows for precise, repeatable marks. And the very nature of printmaking implies distribution. Engravings like this played a vital role in disseminating knowledge and imagery in the 1700s. It made art and information accessible to a broader audience during the rise of a commercialized society. The social context is key here. This isn't just a portrait; it's a product of its time, reflecting the growing importance of reproduction and the democratization of art. This engraving bridges the gap between craftsmanship, artistry, and the evolving landscape of labor and consumption.