Drie portretten van onbekenden 1841 - 1878

Jaroslav Cermak made this print of three unknown people sometime in the 19th century. It is made by way of a printmaking technique called etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, and then inked and printed. The controlled marks of etching allow for a striking level of detail, capturing the sitters’ delicate features. Yet, in the artist’s hand, the medium speaks to broader social themes. Etching was the printmaking method par excellence of the industrial era, because it allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images. It became an integral part of print culture, as images could be circulated widely and cheaply to an eager public. Consider the labor involved in creating the etched plate. The acid-biting process and the printing of the edition would have necessitated a dedicated workshop. In this context, the image asks us to consider not only the individuals portrayed, but the broader social conditions that enabled its creation. The making of this print reflects the intersection of art, industry, and the changing dynamics of 19th-century society.