Portret van Franz Josef Treyer 1790 - 1880

This is a print of Franz Josef Treyer, made by Theodor Vincenz Poll, using engraving. This is a technique that involves cutting lines into a metal plate, which are then filled with ink and printed. If you look closely, you can see how the crisp lines of the engraving define Treyer’s features and clothing. The process demands precision and skill, a kind of labor that was highly valued in the 18th and 19th centuries. The sharpness of the lines lends a formal, almost clinical quality to the portrait, fitting for a man of science and medicine. Engraving was not just a means of artistic expression, it was also a method of mass production. Prints like these could be reproduced and distributed widely, playing a role in circulating images and ideas. The labor that went into creating the metal plate from which these images were made is a testament to how the visual culture of the era was deeply intertwined with labor, politics, and consumption. This portrait, therefore, represents a convergence of artistry, technology, and society.