Portret van Johann Jacob Schrotberg op 69-jarige leeftijd 1731

Christian Fritzsch’s portrait of Johann Jacob Schrotberg, made around 1750, is an engraving on paper. This printmaking technique, involving carving an image into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper, was a complex process, requiring specialized skills and tools. Look closely and you can see the delicate lines, which build up the image and create tonal variation. The precision of the engraving allows for detailed rendering of textures and surfaces, like the sitter’s wig, the books, and the draped curtain in the background. Engraving was closely tied to the rise of print culture and the dissemination of knowledge. Prints like this one made images accessible to a wider audience, playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion and cultural values. It is important to remember that this image resulted from labor, commerce and a whole social context, and that is part of its power. Seeing this portrait as both an artwork and a crafted object, allows us to look past traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, to better understand its full meaning and historical significance.