Portret van Maria Henrietta Stuart 19th century

This is a portrait of Maria Henrietta Stuart, made by an anonymous artist, and preserved at the Rijksmuseum. It’s a print, probably made using an intaglio technique like etching or engraving. Look closely and you’ll see a fine network of lines which create the tones and shading. This was achieved by cutting into a metal plate, inking the recessed lines, and then pressing the plate onto paper. Prints like this were often made to circulate images widely. They democratized access to portraiture, making images of the elite available to a broader public. Yet, the labor involved in creating these prints – the skilled hand of the engraver, and the complex process of production – is often overlooked. These prints stand as a testament to the skilled labor that went into disseminating images and shaping public perception. So next time you see a print, remember to consider not only the image itself, but also the means of its making, and the social context in which it was produced.