Portret van Gualtherus Zoutmaat 1783

Pieter de Mare made this portrait of Gualtherus Zoutmaat in 1783, and the print was likely etched on a copper plate. The material itself, copper, has a direct impact on the artwork's appearance. The fineness of the lines, made by carefully drawing through a waxy ground with a sharp needle and then bathing the plate in acid, allows for an exquisite level of detail. Note the contrast between the relatively plain rendering of the face, and the much more elaborate hatching used to create the wig. The printing process itself has social significance. Etching was a skilled trade, requiring not just artistic ability but also knowledge of chemistry and the use of specialized tools. This print represents a confluence of artistic vision and craft production. The work involved speaks to the values placed on precision, detail, and skilled labor in the 18th century. By understanding the materials and processes, we gain a deeper appreciation of the values embedded within the artwork itself.