Portret van een onbekende jongen 1768 - 1817

This delicate portrait of an unknown boy was made by Johann Heinrich Lips using etching techniques. Lips incised lines into a metal plate, likely copper, with a sharp needle to create the image. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink was applied to the plate and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. The plate was pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The fineness of the lines suggests a high degree of skill and control. Note how the density of the etched lines creates a tonal range, suggesting form and volume. The softness and subtlety achieved through etching lent itself well to portraiture, capturing the likeness and character of the subject. The use of etching allowed for the production of multiple impressions, making portraits more accessible. The print serves not only as an artwork, but as a record of skilled labor and technical ingenuity. It reminds us that materials, making, and social context are vital to understanding an artwork's full meaning.