Smaak 1787 - 1828

This is Ludwig Gottlieb Portman's "Smaak," made using etching and stipple engraving, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The print depicts a female figure squeezing grapes into a golden chalice. This work is all about process – the precise, repetitive work involved in printmaking. Stipple engraving, in particular, demanded meticulous labor. Think about the engraver, carefully building up tone through thousands of tiny dots. The material qualities here – the fineness of the lines, the subtle gradations of light and shadow – are entirely dependent on the hand of the artist and their mastery of technique. Portman wasn’t just creating an image; he was also showcasing his skill, participating in a broader culture that valued technical expertise and artistic refinement. It is worth thinking about the social context of printmaking at this time, as well. Prints like these were luxury goods, catering to a growing consumer culture, and the skilled labour required to produce them was highly valued. By understanding the labor and techniques that went into its creation, we can appreciate this small print not just as an image, but as a testament to the art of making.