Portret van Marguerite-Louis-François Duport-Dutertre c. 1792 - 1808

Lambertus Antonius Claessens created this print of Marguerite-Louis-François Duport-Dutertre using engraving, a skilled, labor-intensive process with roots in craft. The image is made by incising lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then using a press to transfer the ink onto paper. The density and direction of these etched lines create the illusion of tone and volume, defining Duport-Dutertre's features and clothing. Look closely, and you can see the fine lines that build up the shadows. This wasn't just about artistic skill; it demanded physical effort and technical know-how. Engraving was not merely a means of reproduction. It was a valued technique in its own right, and the marks of its making are crucial to understanding the print’s visual language and cultural status. By recognizing the work involved in the production process, we appreciate the fusion of craft and art, and its complex connection to labour and class.