Prinsesse Charlotte Amalie 1780

Terkel Kleve made this portrait of Princess Charlotte Amalie in the 18th century using a printmaking technique called chiaroscuro woodcut. This process involved carving multiple woodblocks, each inked with a different tone of the same color, and then printing them in succession to create subtle gradations of light and shadow. Look closely and you can see how the overall effect relies on the careful registration of the blocks. This wasn't just a technical exercise, of course. The soft, tonal qualities of the print lend the Princess a certain grace, reinforcing her aristocratic status. Consider the labor involved; the careful carving, inking, and printing would have demanded time and skill, which is why printmaking was often associated with workshops and collaborative production. In its own way, this print of Princess Charlotte Amalie tells us much about the society that made it, and reminds us that there is so much more to art than the final image.