Portret van een onbekende man 1708 - 1780

This is an engraving by Jacob Houbraken, made in the 18th century. It depicts an unknown man. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking technique, in which an image is incised onto a metal plate, usually copper. The plate is then inked, and the excess ink wiped off. The printmaker then presses a sheet of paper against the plate using a high-pressure printing press. This process results in a highly detailed image, with crisp lines and a distinctive texture. Look closely, and you can see a subtle three-dimensionality to the image, a result of the pressure exerted by the press. The labor-intensive nature of engraving meant that prints were relatively expensive and served as an important medium for disseminating information and imagery. Jacob Houbraken was a master of this technique, and through his craft he was able to give us a window into the past and the face of someone otherwise lost to history. Appreciating the craft involved gives us a deeper connection to the final image.