Portret van W.C. Eppingen before 1906

This is a portrait of W.C. Eppingen, made with etching and line engraving, and printed in gray ink by C. Steckmest. Take a look at the density of the lines, and the texture of the paper—it’s a far cry from the slick surfaces we associate with digital printing today. The graphic rendering of this portrait is achieved through laborious handwork, which is rendered even more impressive by the subject’s solemn expression and official uniform. You get the impression of an individual dedicated to duty. The act of printing here is not just reproduction, but construction of an image through repeated, precise labor. This was part of a printmaking tradition that existed outside the world of painting, where skill was paramount. Images like this had real social power, distributing likenesses and ideas widely in a way that photography would later amplify. Ultimately, by appreciating the subtle and time-intensive processes behind this image, we get a richer sense of its cultural value. This challenges conventional hierarchies between "high art" and more accessible forms of craft.