Ferdinand staat in een landschap en tuurt naar de sterrenhemel 1785

This print of Ferdinand gazing at the stars was made by Reinier Vinkeles, likely in the late 18th century, using an engraving technique. Engraving involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate. The plate is then inked, and the ink wiped away, remaining only in the carved lines. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image transfers. The final print reverses the image from the original plate. The density of the lines determines the tone of the image, and the engraver needs to be precise in the application of pressure to achieve the desired effect. The material quality of the copper plate allows for incredibly fine detail, seen here in the depiction of the night sky. The engraver’s labor-intensive and highly skilled process imbued the print with both artistic and social meaning, reflecting the cultural values and aesthetic preferences of the time.