Portret van Christoph Dorsch 1693 - 1737

Bernhard Vogel created this portrait print of Christoph Dorsch sometime around the late 17th to early 18th century. As a print, it would have been produced through a labor-intensive process of carving an image into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The texture and tone achieved speak to Vogel’s skill as a printmaker. Notice the contrast between the smooth expanses of Dorsch’s robe and the fine, almost chaotic lines that define his elaborate wig. Vogel used a technique called hatching to create this variation, building up areas of shadow with many tiny, closely-spaced lines. This wasn't just about accurately representing Dorsch, but also about signalling his status. The very act of commissioning and creating a print was a signifier of wealth and power. So, while the print medium allowed for wider distribution of images, its creation was still deeply embedded in social and economic hierarchies. This artwork reminds us that even seemingly simple images are products of complex processes, reflecting both artistic skill and the social structures of their time.