Portret van Christoph Zeller 1727 - 1799

This is a portrait of Christoph Zeller, made by Ferdinand Stenglin using engraving, a printmaking process that relies on the precise cutting of lines into a metal plate. The resulting image is a testament to the engraver’s skill. The composition is built up from myriad thin cuts, each one carefully placed to suggest form, texture, and tone. Notice how Stenglin used this method to capture the fine details of Zeller’s face, the folds in his clothing, and the texture of the surrounding frame. Engraving was a labor-intensive process, requiring specialized tools and years of training, yet prints like this were relatively inexpensive to produce, and could be widely distributed. This portrait embodies a tension: it elevates Zeller to the status of a public figure, while also reminding us of the many hours of skilled labor required to produce such an image. By focusing on these material realities, we can appreciate the significance of this artwork.