Portret van Artus Georg Velten 1657 - 1682

This is a portrait of Artus Georg Velten, made by Caspar van Huysum. It’s an engraving, meaning that it was created by carefully incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The density of the lines determines the shading, and thus the illusion of form. Look closely, and you can see how Huysum varies the marks to define the folds of Velten’s robes, the texture of the curtain behind him, and even the light on his face. The effect is one of tremendous detail, and a sense of the sitter's character. Engraving like this was a highly skilled, laborious process, requiring years of training. It was also a reproductive medium, meaning that this image could be disseminated widely, reflecting Velten's status and influence as a theologian. So, while we might think of this as a “mere” print, it embodies a sophisticated interplay of material, skill, and social context.