Portret van Sigismund von Meger 1651

Elias Widemann created this portrait of Sigismund von Meger in 1661 using etching. The technique involves drawing an image into a wax ground on a metal plate, and then immersing it in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating lines that hold ink. Widemann then wiped the plate clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines, and pressed it onto paper. The linear quality of the image, its stark contrasts, and the precision of the lettering all speak to the controlled aggression of acid on metal. As a print, the portrait could be multiplied, disseminating Sigismund von Meger’s image widely. This was a powerful tool in the early modern period, not just for artists but for politicians and marketers alike. Etching was not just a means of artistic expression, but a technology deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of the time. So, when you look at this print, remember that it is more than just a picture. It is a product of material forces, skilled labor, and social context, all coming together on a single sheet of paper.