Portret van Friedrich Ludwig Müller 1722 - 1775

This print of Friedrich Ludwig Müller was made by Georg Friedrich Schmidt using an engraving technique. Look closely, and you’ll see how the image is created by thousands of tiny etched lines. Engraving is an intaglio process. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to manually carve lines into a copper plate. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. The print is made when paper is pressed firmly against the plate. The result is a crisp, detailed image, ideally suited for portraiture, which was in high demand in the 18th century. The success of an engraving relies on precision and control, demonstrating the engraver’s skill. Schmidt was a master of this exacting craft, which allowed for the wide distribution of images, fueling both artistic reputations and social ideas. This portrait gives us a glimpse into the intersection of artistry, craft, and commerce in the 1700s. By understanding the process, we appreciate not just the image, but also the labor and skill involved in its creation.