Portret van Johannes Calvijn c. 1830 - 1845

This print, made by N.M. Schild, portrays Johannes Calvijn through the meticulous process of engraving. Engraving demands a high degree of skill. The artist cuts lines directly into a metal plate, which are then inked to produce the final image on paper. Look closely, and you'll see how the dense network of fine lines creates a tonal range, capturing the texture of Calvijn's fur-lined robe and the gravity of his expression. The material and process speak to a world of artisanal labor, where specialized skills were highly valued. The proliferation of printed images in the early modern period reflects the rise of a new visual culture, tied to the spread of information and ideas, and to a growing consumer economy. While Schild’s print is far from a mass-produced commodity, it exemplifies how art and craft can be harnessed to disseminate ideologies, and to shape public opinion.