Silhouetportret van Claudius Henricus van Herwerden 1808 - 1844

Carl Cristiaan Fuchs created this silhouette portrait of Claudius Henricus van Herwerden using etching techniques on paper. Silhouettes like this one were a popular and relatively affordable form of portraiture in the 18th and 19th centuries. The process typically involved tracing the shadow of a person's profile, and then creating an image through various printing methods. Here, the etching gives the portrait precise lines and details, such as the texture of the sitter's hair and clothing. While seemingly simple, the production of an etching required considerable skill and labor. The artist had to carefully prepare the metal plate, transfer the design, and then use acid to etch the lines into the surface. This print was made as a 'proof', before the final edition. The etcher, W. Lubbers, prepared the original drawing, and J. Comkens was the publisher responsible for distributing the image. Looking at this print, we can appreciate not only the likeness of Claudius Henricus van Herwerden but also the craft and collaborative effort involved in its making.