Portret van Ernst August Sörgel 1773 - 1823

Karl Heinrich Grünler made this portrait of Ernst August Sörgel using engraving, a printmaking technique, sometime before his death in 1823. This process involves cutting a design into a flat surface, in this case a copper plate, with a tool called a burin. Ink is then applied to the plate and wiped off the surface, leaving ink only in the incised lines. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The linear quality of the engraving lends itself well to detailed portraiture, capturing the likeness and character of the subject. The crisp lines and subtle gradations of tone create a sense of depth and volume, while the use of hatching and cross-hatching adds texture and visual interest. Engraving was a popular method for disseminating images and information in the 18th and 19th centuries. It allowed for the mass production of prints, making art accessible to a wider audience and contributing to the growth of visual culture. We begin to understand how the material process of printmaking intersects with the broader historical context of labor and the rise of capitalism.