Portret van Anna Maria Ebeling 1751 - 1816

This delicate portrait of Anna Maria Ebeling was made by Reinier Vinkeles, using the intaglio printmaking technique of etching. A metal plate, likely copper, was coated with a waxy ground, and then the artist scratched away lines to expose the metal. Immersed in acid, the exposed lines were bitten, creating grooves that would hold ink. This print shows the level of detail obtainable through etching. Consider the textures of Ebeling's clothing: the soft gathers of her bonnet, the lace trim of her shawl, and the way the fabric of her dress drapes and folds. These effects were achieved through careful modulation of line and tone. The artist would have had to consider the effect of each etched mark, and how it would contribute to the overall image. In its time, printmaking served a vital function, disseminating images widely and relatively cheaply. The proliferation of prints democratized access to art and information and played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and cultural identity. This beautiful portrait, made using skills honed over years of practice, prompts us to consider the relationship between art, labor, and social change.