Reproductie van een tekening van een portret van een onbekende man before 1883

This reproduction of a drawing was made by Léon Evely, using ink on paper. The texture of the paper is relatively smooth, which allows the ink to sit cleanly on the surface. The artist has used various line weights to define the form and create depth. Look at how the hatching and cross-hatching create shadows and volume, particularly on the man's coat and in the folds of the curtain behind him. The processes involved are not only artistic, but also reproductive. This drawing was likely created as a model for printmaking, a process that allows for wider distribution. The social context here is important: it speaks to a time when images were not as easily reproduced as they are today, making the skills of the artist all the more valuable in disseminating visual information. The amount of hand-work involved in the production process gives it a unique and human quality, a contrast to today's digital printing. Understanding the material and making of this artwork enriches our appreciation, reminding us of the labour and skill invested in its creation and reproduction.