Portret van Hans Negelein 1669

This engraving of Hans Negelein, a feather-dresser from Nuremberg, was made in 1669 by Johann Freidrich Leonard. The artist created this portrait using the technique of engraving, meticulously incising lines into a metal plate. Notice the astonishing level of detail achieved through this laborious, manual process. Look closely and you'll see how Leonard has used hatching and cross-hatching to create the illusion of light and shadow. Consider the time and skill required to render the delicate lace collar, the intricate pattern of Negelein's jacket, and the subtle nuances of his face. As a "federschmucker," Negelein was a craftsman himself, catering to the fashion of his time. It is interesting to see how Leonard's printmaking captures the dignity of labor and the societal status of craftspeople. In a world increasingly dominated by mass production, this print reminds us of the value of skilled handwork, and the social contexts in which creative work is produced and consumed.