Portret van Floris II, graaf van Holland 1745

Hendrik Spilman made this portrait of Floris II, Count of Holland, using etching and engraving. Notice the intricate lines that define Floris's armor and cloak, achieved through the meticulous process of incising into a metal plate, and the texture of the paper itself, which adds depth to the image. Spilman engages with printmaking, a skilled tradition that blurs the boundaries between craft and fine art. Printmaking allows for reproduction and dissemination, tying art to wider social issues of accessibility and consumption. The lines, seemingly simple, speak to the labor involved in the production process, hinting at the social context in which the work was made. The inherent qualities of the metal plate and the paper, combined with the precise techniques used, imbue the artwork with cultural significance. By paying attention to the materials, making, and context, we gain a fuller understanding of the artwork's meaning, challenging any traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.