Portret van Jeronimo de Bosch 1808

Reinier Vinkeles made this portrait of Jeronimo de Bosch using engraving, a printmaking technique that relies on the precise, manual cutting of lines into a metal plate. Look closely, and you'll see how the varying density and direction of these lines create the illusion of volume and texture. The engraver uses a tool called a burin to carve the image into the plate. Ink is then applied to the plate, and the surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. This was a painstaking, time-consuming process. Printmaking was a key technology in the early modern period, allowing images and information to be disseminated widely. Yet, it also demanded highly skilled labor, a real tension there. By appreciating the artistry and labor involved in this print, we can move beyond the traditional hierarchy of art and craft.