Portret van Ferdinand de Braekeleer de Oude 1841 - 1842

This portrait of Ferdinand de Braekeleer the Elder was made anonymously, using etching. Look closely, and you will notice the fine lines, made possible by the simple act of drawing into a prepared metal plate with a sharp needle. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. Ink is applied to the plate and then wiped away, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The beauty of etching lies in its directness. Unlike engraving, which requires immense physical strength and skill, etching is comparatively easy. This opened up printmaking to a wider range of artists, playing a key role in the democratization of image production, and offering an opportunity to visualize the individual. Understanding the making of an artwork invites us to reflect on the labour, the economic systems, and the cultural values that shaped its creation.