Portret van Otto Derk Gordon 1784 - 1827

This portrait of Otto Derk Gordon, now in the Rijksmuseum, was created by an anonymous artist using the technique of etching. A copper plate would have been coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, through which the artist scratched their design. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves that would hold ink. The quality of line suggests a highly skilled hand, disciplined through years of practice. It's worth considering how the etching process itself, with its reliance on mechanical reproduction, resonates with the social context of the portrait. Gordon is presented here as a figure of authority, his image multiplied and disseminated through printmaking. This speaks to the emerging power of mass media and its ability to shape public perception. Looking at this image, we can appreciate the labor involved not only in its creation, but also in the construction of Gordon's public persona. It reminds us that all images, even seemingly straightforward portraits, are the product of careful design and skilled execution.