Portret van Ernst Joachim von Westphalen 1738

Christian Fritzsch created this portrait of Ernst Joachim von Westphalen, using engraving techniques. The print is all about the labor of mark-making. Look closely, and you’ll see a multitude of tiny, deliberate lines, each one carefully incised into a metal plate, and then transferred to paper. This painstaking process is what gives the image its distinctive texture and tonality. Consider the social context in which this print was made: printmaking was a key means of disseminating information and images in the 18th century. The work involved long hours of skilled labor, and the final product, allowed for a relatively affordable way for Westphalen to project his image and status. The dense network of lines that form the portrait isn't just a technical feat; it's a testament to the value placed on craft, precision, and the ability to translate power into a tangible, reproducible form. By appreciating the material and process behind this print, we understand its cultural and historical significance, and question the hierarchy of the art world.