Portret van Sophie van Württemberg en Willem, prins der Nederlanden 1849 - 1855

Johannes de Mare created this portrait of Sophie van Württemberg and Willem, Prince of the Netherlands, using engraving, a printmaking technique. The stark contrast between light and shadow is achieved through the careful manipulation of lines etched into a metal plate. This laborious process involved incising lines to hold ink, then pressing paper against the plate to transfer the image. The resulting print captures not only the likeness of the subjects but also the texture and depth of the engraving itself. In its time, this print would have served as a means of disseminating images and information, allowing for wider access to portraiture beyond the elite circles who could commission painted likenesses. The print blurs the line between art and craft, offering a glimpse into the intersection of labor, technology, and social representation in the 19th century. It is a testament to the democratization of art through industrial processes.