Portret van aartsbisschop Petrus Codde 1710 - 1731

This is an engraving of Archbishop Petrus Codde, made by Pieter van Gunst, a Dutch printmaker active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Engraving is an intaglio process, where the design is incised into a metal plate, usually copper. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Damp paper is then pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see the precise, deliberate marks that van Gunst made with his burin, the engraving tool. Consider the skill and labor involved in creating this image. Each line contributes to the overall effect, from the delicate rendering of Codde’s face to the intricate details of his robes and the surrounding laurel wreath. Engravings like this were often produced in multiples, serving as a means of disseminating information and imagery in a pre-photographic age. This portrait not only captures the likeness of a prominent religious figure, but also reflects the social and economic systems that supported the production and circulation of such images. It’s a testament to the power of craft and making in shaping cultural understanding.