Portret van Heinrich Cocceji 1692 - 1741

Gabriel Uhlich made this portrait of Heinrich Cocceji using engraving, a process that demands precision and skill. The image is created by incising lines into a metal plate, likely copper, and then applying ink to the grooves. The crisp lines and fine details, particularly in Cocceji's elaborate wig and the draped fabric, are characteristic of this labor-intensive technique. Engraving was a key method for mass-producing images and disseminating information, playing a crucial role in the print culture of the 18th century. The process required not only artistic talent but also technical expertise, often involving a division of labor within workshops. Consider the social context: prints like these circulated widely, making images accessible to a broader audience, and helping to spread ideas and establish reputations. The very act of engraving, transforming labor into art, highlights the complex relationship between craft, commerce, and cultural production.