Martin Hammerich 1867

This print of Martin Hammerich was made by H.P. Hansen using engraving, a process with a fascinating relationship to labor and class. Engraving demands meticulous skill. The artist carves lines into a metal plate, which are then filled with ink and printed. Look closely, and you can see how Hansen has built up tone and form with a dense network of these tiny marks. The whole image emerges from repetitive, precise actions. Now, think about what this kind of labor represents. On one hand, there's the individual artistry of Hansen, his ability to capture Hammerich's likeness. But on the other, there's the echo of industrial production. Engraving, like other forms of printmaking, allowed for the mass dissemination of images, fueling the rise of newspapers and advertising. It's a process deeply embedded in the social and economic changes of the time. So, next time you look at a print, remember that it's not just an image, it's the product of skill, labor, and a changing world.