Portret van Ernst Ludwig Posselt 1793

This portrait of Ernst Ludwig Posselt was made by Christoph-Wilhelm Bock using the technique of etching. The lines you see were created by drawing through a wax coating on a metal plate, which was then exposed to acid. The result is a delicate, linear image. Look closely, and you'll see how the varying density and thickness of these lines create a sense of volume and texture, particularly in Posselt's hair and clothing. Etching allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images, which democratized portraiture to a certain extent. It put images like this within reach of a wider public. But, the labour-intensive nature of the process is still evident in the fine details. The etcher's hand is present in every line, and the quality of the print would have depended on their skill and care. Recognizing the amount of work involved in its production helps us appreciate the artistry of printmaking, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.