Portret van Thomas Cole

This is a portrait of Thomas Cole, rendered in mezzotint by Jan van der Spriet. The mezzotint process, developed in the 17th century, is all about tone. It requires the printmaker to systematically roughen the copper plate, then selectively burnish it smooth again to create an image. The velvety blacks and subtle gradations of gray, so evident here, are what distinguished the medium. The level of labor involved in the production process shouldn’t be underestimated. First the plate had to be prepared, then the image meticulously worked in reverse, all by hand. It was a time-consuming activity, one usually performed by skilled artisans working either independently or within larger workshops. The resulting prints, like this portrait, were luxury goods, consumed by a relatively small elite. Considering its material and means of production allows us to see the print not just as a portrait, but as a social artifact, reflective of its moment.