Portret van George Anson 1750 - 1821

This is a portrait of George Anson, made by Heinrich Schmidt. The print is made using an engraving technique, where the artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines directly into a metal plate, likely copper. The depth and fineness of the engraved lines create the tonal variations and intricate details we see here. Look closely, and you’ll see how Schmidt used hatching and cross-hatching to build up the shadows and give form to Anson’s face and clothing. Engraving was a skilled craft, demanding precision and control. The engraver had to be meticulous, as mistakes were difficult to correct. Prints like this one were often made in multiples, allowing for wider distribution of images and ideas. This speaks to the rise of a print culture, where visual information could circulate more freely, influencing public opinion and shaping social identities. Considering its materials, processes, and social context deepens our understanding of this portrait. It reminds us that images, like all material objects, are shaped by the hands that make them, and the cultures in which they are created and consumed.