Portret van Johann Friedrich Mayer 1670 - 1713

This portrait of Johann Friedrich Mayer was made by Pieter Schenk, probably around the turn of the 18th century, using a printmaking technique called mezzotint. This process involves roughening the entire copper plate with a tool called a rocker, then smoothing areas to create the image, working from dark to light. Look closely, and you can see how this painstaking process yields rich tonal gradations. Schenk wasn't just documenting Mayer's likeness, but also showcasing the capabilities of mezzotint. The textures of the hair and drapery, the subtle play of light on the face – these are all effects that would have impressed viewers at the time. Mezzotint was prized for its ability to mimic the appearance of paintings. This aligned with the broader social function of portraiture, which was to project an image of status and refinement. Consider the labor involved, the skilled hand required to coax such detail from the copper plate, and the way that the finished print could then be circulated, extending Mayer’s influence. Seeing this, we begin to understand how technical processes are deeply imbricated with social meaning.