Ruiterportret van Francisco Abad Moreno 1817 - 1827

This print, portraying Francisco Abad Moreno on horseback, was made by Mariano Brandi using chalcography, a type of printmaking. Chalcography is an intaglio process, meaning the image is incised into a metal plate, typically copper or zinc. The fine lines you see were carefully engraved or etched into the plate. Ink is then applied, filling these recessed areas, and the surface is wiped clean. High pressure is used to transfer the ink from the plate to paper. The process demands considerable skill and time, reflecting the value placed on detailed representation and craft. The sharp, precise lines possible through chalcography allowed for detailed portraits, like this one, which served as a powerful tool for conveying status. The labor-intensive nature of chalcography prints meant that these prints were luxury goods, connecting artistry with broader issues of labor, class, and consumption. Appreciating the work means understanding its physical production, and the social context in which it was made.