Portret van een onbekende Pruisische generaal 1722 - 1775

This is an engraving of an unknown Prussian general, made by Georg Friedrich Schmidt sometime in the 18th century. Schmidt has used a technique which requires great skill and time. He would have used a tool called a burin to manually cut lines into a copper plate. The depth and density of these lines creates the illusion of tone and texture, from the glint of the armor, to the soft fur trim of the general’s robe. Look closely, and you'll see how Schmidt has varied his marks to describe the different materials. Engraving was a reproductive medium. Prints like these were relatively inexpensive compared to paintings, and they helped to circulate images widely. It also speaks volumes about the society of the time, especially the military elite. The image suggests a world of industry, labor, and power. The general, a cog in the machine of state, elevated by the skilled labor of the engraver. The print invites us to consider not only who is represented, but also how the representation came into being, and what the status of printed images were at this time.