Portret van Johann Gottfried Seume 1795 - 1878

Carl August Schwerdgeburth created this portrait of Johann Gottfried Seume using burin engraving, a printmaking technique dating back to the 15th century. Engraving involves painstakingly carving lines into a metal plate, typically copper, with a specialized tool called a burin. The incised lines hold ink, and when the plate is pressed onto paper, the image transfers. Schwerdgeburth’s skill is evident in the fine lines and subtle gradations that capture Seume's likeness. The texture of the paper, too, adds a tactile dimension to the print. What’s interesting here is the labor-intensive nature of engraving, a process demanding precision and patience. Each line represents hours of work, a testament to the value placed on craftsmanship. In a world increasingly dominated by mechanical reproduction, let’s remember that these processes reflect the cultural value of patience, and the skills accumulated across generations of artisans. By considering the making, we see this print not just as a portrait, but as a record of human skill and effort.