Portret van Jacques I de Bourbon-La Marche 1838 - 1841

This print of Jacques I de Bourbon-La Marche was made by Louis Marie Yves Queverdo. Here, we see the figure portrayed with intricate lines meticulously etched onto the plate, capturing the subject's likeness and details of his armor. The material, likely copper, lends itself to the fine lines and tonal variations achieved through the etching process, where acid eats away at the exposed metal. Consider the labor-intensive process of crafting each line, each shadow, with precision and skill. The artist skillfully manipulates light and shadow to create depth and volume, giving the portrait a lifelike quality. Queverdo's engagement with etching connects this work to the broader tradition of printmaking, a medium historically intertwined with disseminating knowledge and ideas. Looking at the original artwork, we can appreciate how the act of making is essential to its meaning, inviting reflection on the historical and cultural contexts that shaped its creation.