Jens Christian Hostrup 1830 - 1896

This is a portrait of Jens Christian Hostrup, made by Franz Wilhelm Obermann using engraving, a printmaking technique. Notice how the image is composed of many tiny lines and dots that create areas of light and shadow. Engraving is an intaglio process, where the artist carefully cuts lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then transferring the image to paper through a press. This process requires great skill and patience. The engraver uses a tool called a burin to manually carve the image into the metal. The depth and spacing of the lines determine the tonal value of the print, with closer, deeper lines appearing darker. Prints such as this were often made to disseminate images widely, and the rise of printmaking was directly linked to the growth of literacy and the spread of information. It’s easy to overlook the labor involved in producing an image like this, a testament to the engraver’s craft, where technical skill meets artistic expression. When we appreciate the work involved, we can see this print not just as an image, but as a product of intricate handwork in a rapidly changing, industrializing world.