Portret van Leander van Ess c. 1829 - 1840

This print depicting Leander van Ess was made by Johann Georg Nordheim, using a technique called etching. It's an indirect process of engraving. The artist coats a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then draws into it with a sharp needle. Acid then bites into the exposed lines, which are then inked and printed. Look closely, and you'll notice the incredible intricacy of the lines, which create the tonal range of the image. This isn't just a feat of manual skill; it reflects the increasing demand for images during the 19th century. Printmaking became a key means of circulating information and, like photography which was then emerging, offered a relatively inexpensive way to disseminate likenesses. Consider the labor involved: from the preparation of the plate, to the drawing and biting, to the final printing. This was a skilled trade, situated between artistic expression and industrial production. Recognizing that complexity helps us to understand the social and economic context in which images like this one were made.