Portret van de Spaanse kardinaal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros 1644

This print of Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros was made by Frans van den Wijngaerde in the seventeenth century, using the technique of engraving. The image is constructed from lines incised into a copper plate. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut these lines directly. Notice how the density and direction of the lines create tone and volume, particularly in the Cardinal’s face and cloak. This was skilled, physically demanding work. Wijngaerde would have needed a high level of control to achieve such fine detail, a testament to the engraver’s expertise. Prints like these served a vital purpose at the time. They allowed images to be reproduced and disseminated widely. In this way, the circulation of portraits became a powerful tool of propaganda, helping to spread the influence and authority of important figures. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple images can be deeply embedded in social and political contexts.