Portret van Gilles de Rais 1838 - 1841

This portrait of Gilles de Rais was made by Nicolas Edouard Lerouge in the 19th century, using engraving. Engraving involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely, and you'll see that the image is built up from a dense network of these lines. The artist must have had a steady hand to produce such fine, controlled marks, giving depth and texture to the armor. Consider the labor involved in the production of this artwork. It required skill and time to execute the engraving and print multiple impressions of the same image, at a time before photography was widespread. This adds to the sense of value and status in replicating and sharing this image. By focusing on the materials, techniques, and the social context of its making, we can understand the full meaning of this artwork, challenging the conventional hierarchy between fine art and craft.