Portret van Willem IV, prins van Oranje-Nassau 1747 - 1799

This is a portrait of Willem IV, Prince of Orange-Nassau, made by Jean Henri van Schawberg using engraving, a printmaking technique. The image is composed entirely of lines incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin. Ink is then applied to the plate and wiped off the surface, remaining only in the engraved lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The linear quality of engraving lends itself well to detailed depictions of texture and form, seen here in the Prince's elaborate wig and armor. This was a painstaking process, demanding great skill and control from the engraver. The resulting image not only immortalizes the Prince, but also testifies to the labor and artistry involved in its creation, a process closely tied to early capitalist enterprise. By focusing on the material and processes of production, we can appreciate the historical context and social significance embedded within this portrait, challenging the traditional separation between art, craft, and industry.