Portret van Luise von Mecklenburg-Strelitz, koningin van Pruisen 1810

This is a portrait of Luise von Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Prussia, made by Friedrich Wilhelm Bollinger. While the date of the work is unknown, the artist was active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It’s an engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. What strikes me is the way this process impacts the image itself. Notice the fineness of the lines, creating subtle gradations of tone. The queen's likeness emerges from the density of these marks, a testament to the engraver's skill. But this wasn't just about artistic talent, it was also about labor. Engraving was a painstaking craft, demanding hours of meticulous work. This contrasts with the subject – a member of the aristocracy, whose status was predicated on freedom from such toil. Bollinger engaged with the traditions of portraiture, and also the skilled traditions associated with print making. Understanding this context helps us see beyond the surface, recognizing the social and economic forces embedded within the very fabric of the artwork.