Portret van Leopold II 1791

This portrait of Leopold II was made by Christian von Mechel, and exists as an engraving on paper. The medium is essential to understanding the image. Engraving, like etching, is an indirect process. The image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. In von Mechel's time, printmaking was central to the circulation of information and social status. Note the incredible detail achieved here, from the subject’s fine garments, to the symbols of power displayed. The process of engraving involves skilled labor, and was a key method for reproducing images at scale. The print medium itself has meaning. The engraving's inherent reproducibility challenges notions of artistic uniqueness. This was a democratizing force, allowing images of power to be widely disseminated. In this way, prints played a role in shaping public perception, underscoring how materials and making practices are always intertwined with broader cultural and political contexts.