Portret van Corn. Gov. Visscher 1761 - 1826

Gerrit Konsé created this miniature portrait of Cornelis Govard Visscher through etching, a printmaking process dating back to the Middle Ages. The technique involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant coating. The artist then scratches an image into this layer, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and then the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The texture we see, built up of tiny dots and lines, speaks to the labor-intensive nature of etching. The degree of control required highlights the artist's skill. Yet, etching also allowed for the reproduction of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience. This tension between craft and mass production is central to understanding the print's significance, blurring the lines between art, craft, and commerce.