Gruppebilede af medlemmer af Sehested-slægten 1695 - 1768

This print, a group portrait of the Sehested family, was made by Anna Folkema. The medium is etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive action of acid to create lines in a metal plate. The process begins with a metal plate covered in a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist scratches an image into the ground with a needle, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away. This process requires meticulous skill and control to achieve the desired depth and detail. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The resulting print has a distinct character, with fine, precise lines that give the portrait its detail. Etching, as a reproductive medium, makes this image accessible to a wider audience. While the Sehested family could certainly afford a unique painted portrait, the print democratizes their image. This allows a broader circulation of their status and identity. The work reminds us of the close relationship between artistic techniques, social hierarchies, and the consumption of images in the 18th century.