Portret van de Franse politicus François-René-Auguste Mallarmé 1805

This is a portrait of the French politician François-René-Auguste Mallarmé, made by Ludwig Gottlieb Portman, likely in the early 19th century. It is made from engraving, a printmaking process with a long and fascinating history. Consider the labor involved. The image would have begun as a drawing, then meticulously transferred to a metal plate, likely copper, using specialized tools called burins to create grooves in the surface. These grooves hold the ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. This is a very skilled, time-consuming process. The sharp, precise lines of the engraving lend the portrait a formal, almost austere quality, befitting a man of Mallarmé's political standing. The texture of the paper itself also plays a role, providing a subtle background that enhances the contrast of the image. Think of the print as a multiple: a relatively affordable way to circulate an image of power and influence, made possible by skilled labor. The materiality and making of this print offer a glimpse into the social and economic context of its time, blurring the boundaries between art, craft, and industry.