Portret van Montagu Bertie 1812

This print of Montagu Bertie was made by Robert Dunkarton. Although we don't know the exact date, Dunkarton was active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The technique here is key: mezzotint. This was favored for its velvety blacks and smooth gradations of tone, perfectly suited to capturing the textures of skin, fabric, and, in this case, armor. Unlike etching or engraving, where lines are incised into the plate, mezzotint begins with roughening the entire surface with a tool called a rocker. This creates a solid black when printed. The artist then works back into the surface, burnishing and scraping away the burr to create lighter areas. Consider the labor involved. First the manufacturing of the armor, piece by piece, and its social significance as protection and status. Then the artistry of Dunkarton, spending hours meticulously scraping and burnishing the copper plate. This reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are the product of immense skill and effort, challenging our assumptions about artistic value and the hierarchies between art and craft.