Portret van Hellicha van Wittelsbach 1773

This portrait of Hellicha van Wittelsbach was created by Joseph Anton Zimmermann using engraving, sometime in the 18th century. Zimmermann expertly used the incisive lines of the engraving process to depict Hellicha’s likeness. Engraving involves cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then using a press to transfer the ink onto paper. The fineness of the lines, and the control required to create them, speaks to Zimmermann's skill as a craftsman. Notice how the lines are closely spaced to create darker areas, and further apart to create lighter areas, giving the portrait its tonal depth. The choice of engraving itself reflects certain social and cultural values. It’s a reproductive medium, ideally suited to making multiple copies. In the 18th century, portrait prints like this one were often commissioned by the sitter's family, and distributed widely as a form of social and political currency. In this context, the meticulous craft of engraving becomes a tool for managing reputation and asserting status, blurring any lines between art and social function.