Portret van Daniel Christian Ludolf Lehmus c. 1800 - 1825

Friedrich Wilhelm Bollinger made this portrait of Daniel Christian Ludolf Lehmus using stipple engraving, a printmaking technique that relies on dots rather than lines to build up an image. This process involves the artist using a tool to create small indentations on a metal plate. Ink is then applied to the plate and wiped off, leaving ink only in the indentations. When paper is pressed against the plate, the ink transfers, creating the image. With stipple engraving, the density and distribution of these dots determine the tones and textures of the final print. Bollinger's choice of stipple engraving speaks to the period's fascination with detail and precision, mirroring the scientific and philosophical inquiries of the time. It's also a reminder that even in seemingly straightforward portraiture, the means of production play a crucial role in shaping our perception and understanding of the subject. This technique encourages us to consider printmaking not just as a reproductive medium, but as a skilled craft with its own aesthetic language.