Portret van Maria II Stuart 1688 - 1724

Jacob Gole made this portrait of Maria II Stuart using the technique of engraving, sometime between 1660 and 1737. Engraving involves cutting a design into a metal plate, applying ink, and then pressing paper onto the plate to transfer the image. The depth and precision of the lines determine the tonal range and level of detail. Here, the rich blacks and delicate grays create a stunning likeness of the queen. The act of engraving, like many skilled crafts, requires rigorous training, patience, and control. Printmaking in general was crucial for disseminating images and ideas at this time, enabling wider access to art and information. This particular print served to reinforce Maria’s power and status, and the detailed rendering of her garments and jewels, as well as the accoutrements of rule that surround her, speak to the labor involved in producing and maintaining royalty. Considering the labor involved in both the making of the print and the making of a queen, we can appreciate how these intersect and reflect the social and political structures of the time.