Portret van Maximilien de Béthune 1758 - 1806

This is a portrait of Maximilien de Béthune, made by Pierre Adrien Le Beau as an etching, probably sometime in the 17th or 18th century. The linear quality of the etching emphasizes the subject's ornate attire and the detailed framing of the portrait, including the man's armor and the surrounding decorative elements. The process involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer. The artist then scratches an image into this layer, exposing the metal, which is then submerged in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves in the plate. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. This print-making process allowed images to be replicated and distributed widely, a key element in the growth of visual culture and the spread of ideas during the early modern period. It’s important to understand that this was a labor-intensive practice, demanding meticulous skill. By recognizing this, we can see the true value of this artwork.