Portret van schrijver Pieter Johannes Uylenbroek 1787 - 1828

This is an engraving of Pieter Johannes Uylenbroek, the writer, made by Ludwig Gottlieb Portman. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking process. An image is incised into a plate, traditionally made of copper, using a tool called a burin. The artist would have applied considerable force to carve these lines into the metal. The incised lines hold ink, and the rest of the plate is wiped clean. Then, damp paper is pressed against the plate, picking up the ink and creating the print. Look closely, and you can see the dense network of fine lines that define Uylenbroek’s features and clothing. The success of the image depends entirely on the engraver’s control of the burin, a skill acquired through years of training. Engravings like this played a crucial role in disseminating images and information, serving as a pre-photographic form of mass media. By valuing the engraver's labor, we gain a deeper appreciation for the historical context of the image.