Charles de Valois, duc d'Angouleme 1605 - 1650

Jean Morin made this engraving of Charles de Valois, Duke of Angoulême. The image is constructed through carefully incised lines, creating a range of tones and textures. Morin would have used a sharp tool called a burin to cut lines into a copper plate. The depth and density of these lines determined how much ink the plate would hold, and thus, the darkness of the printed mark. Look closely, and you can see how Morin skillfully modulated the lines to depict the Duke’s face, armor, and the ornate frame surrounding him. This wasn't just about technical skill; it was about conveying social status. The Duke’s likeness, meticulously rendered, projects an image of power and refinement. Engraving like this was labor-intensive. It demanded precision, control, and an understanding of material properties. Prints like these served as important means of circulating images and ideas in the 17th century. They blur the lines between art, craft, and social communication.