Portret van Johannes Freijtag 1654

This portrait of Johannes Freijtag was made by Steven van Lamsweerde, likely in the mid-17th century. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, probably copper, and then printed onto paper. The lines you see aren’t just marks; they represent a huge amount of skilled labor. Lamsweerde would have used specialized tools to meticulously cut into the metal. Look closely at the varying density of the lines which create tonal variation, and describe the texture of Freijtag's beard, hair, and elaborate ruff. Engraving like this was a key technology for circulating images and information at the time. This portrait served a social function, conveying the status and identity of its sitter. Yet, it's equally important to recognize the labor involved in its production. The skills and time required to create such a detailed image highlight the intersection of craft, commerce, and social representation in 17th-century Europe, blurring any strict distinction between art and design.