Portret van paus Leo X 1549 - 1573

This monochrome print portrays Pope Leo X, and was made by an anonymous artist using the technique of engraving. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning the image is incised into a plate, probably copper in this case. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into the surface, with the depth and spacing of these lines determining the tones of the final print. Ink is then applied into these grooves and the surface wiped clean, before pressing paper against the plate to transfer the image. The portrait's fine detail, seen in the Pope's face and clothing, demonstrates the skill required to manipulate the burin with precision. The medium of printmaking allowed for the wide dissemination of images, playing a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of important figures such as Pope Leo X. By focusing on the material process, we recognize printmaking's role in the social and cultural landscape of its time, and challenge the traditional hierarchy between fine art and what we often consider a more functional medium.