Portret van Conrad Grossmann 1731 - 1788

Sebastian Walch created this portrait of Conrad Grossmann, likely in the mid-18th century, using a printmaking technique. The medium is not paint on canvas, or even ink on paper. Look closely, and you can see that the image is comprised of countless tiny dots. This is a clue that Walch worked with a metal plate, incising the image using tools that allowed him to create subtle gradations of tone. The method is known as engraving, and it demands tremendous skill and patience. The material influence is clear: the texture of the metal, the precision of the tools, and the labor-intensive process all contribute to the portrait's formality and precision. Engraving had become a major industry by this point, and this print would have been relatively affordable compared to an oil painting, allowing for the wider distribution of Grossmann's likeness. The importance of materials, making, and context challenge the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.