Actrice Susannah Maria Cibber in de rol van Cordelia 1755 - 1764

Pieter van Bleeck made this mezzotint engraving of actress Susannah Maria Cibber in character. The process of mezzotint is fascinating. The metal plate is roughened in a systematic way, using a tool called a rocker. The burr created by this process would hold a lot of ink, resulting in a solid black tone when printed. The image is then created by selectively burnishing areas smooth again, so that they hold less ink. This creates the lighter areas of the image. The velvety blacks and smooth gradations of tone speak to the labor involved in this process. This specific print has further social significance. It immortalizes an actress who was famous for her tragic roles, and who endured a scandalous private life. The printmaking medium, with its capacity for tonal nuance, suits the histrionic tone perfectly. It also allowed for wider distribution than a unique painting. Looking closely at the material and methods used to make an artwork can tell us a lot about its cultural meaning.