Portret van George, prins van Denemarken 1670 - 1724

This print of George, Prince of Denmark, was created by Jacob Gole in the late 17th or early 18th century. Gole was a master of the mezzotint, a printmaking technique that allows for rich tonal variation. The mezzotint process begins by roughening the entire metal plate with a tool called a rocker, which creates countless tiny burrs. If printed at this stage, the plate would produce a solid black field. The artist then uses a scraper and burnisher to selectively smooth areas of the plate, varying the amount of ink they hold and thus creating lighter tones. The labor-intensive nature of mezzotint meant that it was often used for reproducing portraits and other popular images, feeding a growing market for affordable art. Gole’s skill in this medium allowed him to capture the textures and details of George’s clothing and hair, while also conveying a sense of the Prince’s social status. By understanding the materials and processes involved, we can appreciate the artistry and cultural context of this compelling portrait.