Frederik II 1750s

This print of Frederik II was made by Jonas Haas, who lived in the 18th century. It’s an engraving, a process involving skilled labor: the artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a copper plate. Ink is then forced into these lines, and the image transferred to paper under great pressure. Look closely, and you can see how the density of lines creates tone and texture, bringing the King’s fur-trimmed cloak to life. The process lends itself to sharp detail, ideal for depicting his royal garb. Notice the battlefield in the background – it emphasizes Frederik’s power, but also speaks to the social context of the print. Engravings like this weren't ‘high art’ necessarily; they were a means of disseminating images, a form of mass production in its day. The print medium allowed for a wide distribution, and speaks to the growing importance of visual culture and the rise of consumer society. So, by considering the material and the making, we understand this image not just as a portrait, but as a product of its time.