Overdreven angst van Perseus 1797

This engraving, "Overdreven angst van Perseus", was made by Ludwig Gottlieb Portman, using lines etched into a metal plate, likely copper. The image is rendered through a mesh of fine lines and dots, carefully manipulated to create tone and shadow. Consider the labor involved in creating such an image, each line a deliberate mark. The material itself—the copper, the ink, the paper—all come together to create a powerful narrative scene. Look at the detail Portman achieves, from the folds in the draped fabric to the expressions on the figures' faces. The image is an assembly of skilled labor, from the mining of the copper to the printing of the final image. By focusing on the materials and making of this engraving, we can better understand the social and cultural context in which it was created. It reminds us of the human effort and skill behind every work of art.