Portret van Procopius de Grote 1710

This print of Procopius the Great was made by Martin Bernigeroth, likely in the early 18th century. The image is an engraving, meaning that the artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines into a metal plate, likely copper. The fine detail we see here—the lines defining the face and the folds of fabric—demonstrates a high degree of skill. This intaglio process requires not only the ability to draw, but also a deep understanding of the material properties of metal, and how it responds to the precise application of force. Prints like this one were important for circulating images and information. They were, in a sense, the mass media of their day, allowing for the relatively inexpensive reproduction and distribution of portraits and other subjects. Consider the labor involved here: the artist's skilled work, the printer's expertise, and the distribution networks that brought the image to a wider audience. This print is a testament to the power of reproducible media in shaping cultural memory.