Portret van Rahel Elisabeth Oertel 1731 - 1733

This is Martin Bernigeroth’s portrait of Rahel Elisabeth Oertel, made using engraving, a printmaking technique. Look closely, and you can see how the image is built from thousands of tiny lines. To make an engraving like this, the artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines directly into a copper plate. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The sharpness of the lines, and the control over the depth and spacing, allow for incredibly fine detail and subtle gradations of tone. Engraving was a highly skilled and laborious process, often employed for reproducing portraits of the wealthy and powerful, like Rahel Elisabeth Oertel. The very act of commissioning and creating such a print was a declaration of status, reflecting the sitter's position in society and access to skilled labor. Understanding the meticulous work involved in creating this image helps us appreciate its value, both as a work of art and as a historical document.