Portret van Christine Nilson 1855 - 1898

This is a portrait of Christine Nilson by Friedrich Wilhelm Burmeister, created using a technique called 'steel engraving'. This was an exacting intaglio process, which involved incising an image into a steel plate, then using this as a matrix to print multiple impressions. The effect is one of great detail and crispness, ideally suited to capturing the likeness of a celebrated opera singer. Consider the labor involved: not only Burmeister’s own skill, but also the anonymous steelworkers who forged the plate, and the printers who produced the final image. This reproductive technique allowed for the wide dissemination of Nilson’s image, a form of celebrity culture made possible by industrialization. Steel engraving was often used for banknotes and other official documents. It was a mark of technical sophistication, meant to convey trustworthiness. In this portrait, the medium lends Nilson an air of authority, associating her with the values of precision and mass production. It underscores how artistic skill, technical prowess, and industrial processes can converge to shape our perceptions of fame and artistry.