Portret van Josef Valentin Sebastian Eybel 1749 - 1796

Johann Ernst Mansfeld created this portrait of Josef Valentin Sebastian Eybel using engraving, a printmaking technique with a long history. An engraver uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, in this case copper. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. Take a close look and you’ll see the network of fine lines that define Eybel’s features and clothing. This technique demands incredible skill and precision. It’s a slow, deliberate process, requiring years of training to master. In the 18th century, engraving was crucial for disseminating images and information. Think of it as the pre-digital age of mass media, where prints like these circulated ideas and shaped public opinion. While seemingly distant from our contemporary world, it offers insight into the labour-intensive processes that underpinned early forms of visual communication. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images are the result of skilled work.