Portret van Alexander Baring 1837 - 1838

Charles Edward Wagstaff made this portrait of Alexander Baring using a technique called mezzotint. It's an intaglio process like engraving, but instead of cutting lines into a copper plate, the entire surface is roughened to create a field of tiny dots, which, if printed at this stage, would produce solid black. The artist then burnishes or scrapes away areas to create lighter tones. What we see is a tonal rather than linear image, with subtle gradations of light and shadow. Look closely at the textures Wagstaff has achieved. It is especially effective in rendering the rich fabric of Baring’s coat, suggesting both its plushness and weight. Mezzotint was widely used for reproducing paintings, but here, it serves to portray a man of substance and power. It's a reminder that every image is constructed through a painstaking, labor-intensive process, reflecting not only the sitter's status, but also the skill of the artisan. This challenges any sharp distinction between fine art and craft.