Lodewijk XIII ontvangt een boek van Johannes Riolanus 1626

This print, depicting Lodewijk XIII receiving a book from Johannes Riolanus, was created by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger. He was a member of a prolific family of Dutch printmakers active in the late 16th and 17th centuries. This image would have been made by cutting lines into a copper plate with a tool called a burin. The plate would then be inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see the incredible fineness of the lines. Note, too, how these lines create tone through hatching and cross-hatching. Printmaking at this time wasn't just about artistic expression. It was a crucial means of disseminating information, propaganda, and visual culture more broadly. Engravers like van de Passe were skilled artisans, but their work was deeply embedded in the commercial world. Prints were relatively inexpensive and accessible, allowing images and ideas to circulate widely. They were a powerful tool for shaping public opinion and solidifying the power of the elite. That’s something to remember when considering the status of craft and art.