Johann Tzerklas, Count of Tilly

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of a serious-looking man with a big white ruff collar. His curly beard and mustache frame a strong face, and he’s wearing a dark, textured robe. The background is plain, keeping all the focus on him. The artist used fine lines and shading to show the folds in his clothes and the texture of his hair. This kind of detail is typical of engravings, where every line matters. Next, check out engraving to see how artists create depth with just ink and paper.