Portret van Kurd Christoph, Graf von Schwerin 1787 - 1825

This print of Kurd Christoph, Graf von Schwerin, was made by Friedrich Wilhelm Bollinger using an engraving technique. The incised lines hold the ink, transferring the image onto paper when pressed. This process wasn't just about making multiples; it was about disseminating power. Consider the social context. Engraving allowed for the mass production of images, making portraits like this accessible to a wider audience than painted portraits. While painting was the domain of the elite, engraving opened up the possibility for broader circulation. Look at the details, the textures of the Count's wig, his clothing, and the feathered hat. Each line painstakingly carved into the metal plate, speaks to the labor involved in replicating and reinforcing the image of authority. By understanding the materials and the making, we recognize how this print served as a tool for constructing and distributing social status in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.