Reuk 1787 - 1828

Ludwig Gottlieb Portman created this print, “Reuk,” using etching and engraving techniques sometime before 1828. These processes involve working an image into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. Notice the fine, delicate lines that define the figure and her features. These lines are achieved through careful, skilled labor. The etcher must be precise when using sharp tools to create clean lines, and control acid to ‘bite’ these lines into the metal, followed by the engraver to render the details visible. This print is also hand-colored, which would have involved even more labor. Consider how the labor-intensive nature of printmaking elevates the final product. “Reuk” isn’t just an image, it embodies the artistic tradition of graphic arts. This piece demonstrates the value of skilled making, and asks us to reconsider any hierarchy between craft and fine art.