Portret van Magdalena Sibylla van Saksen, kroonprinses van Denemarken 1643 - 1665

This portrait of Magdalena Sibylla, Crown Princess of Denmark, was made by Salomon Savery around 1643, using engraving. This is a printmaking technique, where the artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely, and you can see how Savery built up the image through a dense network of fine lines, creating tone and texture. The process demands careful skill and time. While engraving was part of the fine art world, it was also fundamental to the world of commerce. The same techniques were used to produce maps, scientific illustrations, and decorative prints for a growing consumer culture. Savery was very attuned to the demands of the market. His prints were often made after paintings by other artists, expanding their reach. So, this portrait is not just an image of royalty; it’s a product of a complex system of labor, skill, and commerce. It invites us to consider how art and craft were intertwined in early modern Europe.