Dimensions: 238 mm (height) x 234 mm (width) (plademaal)
This is a satirical portrait by Vilhelm Kyhn, made with printmaking techniques. Look closely, and you will notice that the lines are finely etched, a process involving coating a metal plate with wax, drawing an image through it, and then immersing the plate in acid to create recessed lines. Ink is then applied to the plate and paper pressed against it, resulting in this print. The choice of printmaking, rather than painting or sculpture, is significant. It’s a relatively democratic medium, allowing for mass production and distribution of images to a broad audience. It gives this portrait its inherent social character. The material influences the artwork's appearance, with its monochromatic palette and precise lines lending a sense of formality. Consider the labor involved; from the skilled artisan creating the plate to the press operators producing multiple copies. Here, the artist likely engaged with traditions of both fine art and popular culture, using his skilled labor to disseminate this caricature and make a statement.
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