Portret van George II Augustus van Groot-Brittannië 1714 - 1724

Jacob Gole created this portrait of George II, likely during his reign, using the technique of mezzotint. This printmaking process involves preparing a copper plate with a tool called a rocker to create a fine, uniform burr, which, if printed at this stage, would produce a solid black image. The image is then created by selectively burnishing or scraping away the burr to varying degrees, allowing for different amounts of ink to be held and thus producing shades of gray. The smoother the area, the lighter it appears in the final print. Look closely, and you can see the remarkable tonal range achieved in George’s face, hair, and armor. Mezzotint was prized for its ability to render subtle gradations and rich textures, making it ideal for portraiture, and for reproducing paintings. The labor-intensive process was a specialized craft, requiring considerable skill and time, which is perhaps why mezzotints were highly valued, offering a relatively accessible way to disseminate images of the powerful and wealthy.