Adelheid uit Goethe's Götz von Berlichingen 1858

This is an engraving by Heinrich Sachs, titled "Adelheid uit Goethe's Götz von Berlichingen". As an engraving, the image has been incised into a metal plate, probably copper, using a tool called a burin, and then printed. Note the sheer amount of labor involved in creating all of those fine lines, which give the picture its tonality and texture. This was a laborious process, requiring a high level of skill and precision, where the printing was essential for reproducing images and disseminating information more widely. Engravings were often made after paintings, allowing them to reach a much broader audience than just those who could see the original. This print exemplifies the relationship between artistic skill, the mechanical reproduction of images, and the democratization of art in the 19th century. It challenges traditional notions of artistic value, as the engraving serves as both a work of art in its own right and a vehicle for popularizing other forms of art and literature.