Portret van de schilder Artus Wolfaerts c. 1616 - 1641

This print depicting the painter Artus Wolfaerts was made by Cornelis Galle I, around the late 16th or early 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, using a tool called a burin. The act of engraving demands rigorous skill and patience. The artist would have painstakingly carved lines into the metal, each mark contributing to the overall composition. The depth and density of these lines determine the tonal range of the print. The pressure of the hand, the angle of the tool—all these decisions contribute to the final image. This wasn’t just a reproductive technique; it was an art form in its own right. Galle's mastery transforms a commercial process into a sensitive portrayal of a fellow artist. Considering this portrait reminds us that every artwork carries the traces of its making, and the human effort embedded within.