Portret medaillons van Friedrich III von Brandenburg-Bayreuth en Karl Wilhelm Friedrich von Brandenburg-Ansbach 1740 - 1779

Martin Tyroff created this print of Friedrich III von Brandenburg-Bayreuth en Karl Wilhelm Friedrich von Brandenburg-Ansbach using engraving, a process rooted in skilled labor and precise execution. The stark contrast of the black lines on white paper defines the image. Each line is carefully incised, and infilled with ink to produce the portrait and allegorical setting. Think about the engraver's labor, painstakingly carving lines into a metal plate. These skills, honed through apprenticeships, were essential to disseminate images and information. The fine lines suggest that the printmaker had a high level of expertise, controlling the burin and tools with precision to create the tonality and texture we see. Prints like this played a crucial role in shaping public perception and the flow of information. By focusing on the print's making, we recognize the vital role of artisans within the broader social and economic structures of the period, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.