Portret van admiraal Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter 1628 - 1670

This portrait of Admiral Michiel Adriaensz de Ruyter was created by Pieter de Jode the Younger using engraving. This is an intaglio printmaking technique, where the design is incised into a metal plate, and then filled with ink. The plate is pressed to paper, resulting in a raised image. Consider the labor involved; the steady hand required to cut those delicate lines, to build up tone and texture. The cross-hatching that defines de Ruyter’s face and clothing, the intricate details of the naval battle raging behind him, all speak to the engraver's skill. This wasn't just about reproducing an image, it was about transforming it. Engraving was a key technology in the rise of mass media. It allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, spreading ideas and information rapidly. Here, it serves to immortalize a powerful figure. It connects artistic skill, technological advancement, and the social and political context of the Dutch Golden Age.