Heinrich Hansen 1840 - 1912

Editor: Here we have an engraved portrait of Heinrich Hansen, dating from 1840 to 1912. The detail achieved with just ink is striking! It gives off a serious and almost scholarly vibe. What stands out to you most when you look at this piece? Curator: You know, it’s funny, my first thought is that this image probably circulated widely; almost like a vintage headshot for a notable academic of the time. There is also some fine detail to consider. Do you see how the engraver used varied line weights to create form and depth in Hansen’s beard and clothing? Editor: Absolutely! The cross-hatching on his coat is quite intricate. Almost photographic in quality. Was this attention to detail typical for portraits in that period? Curator: That’s an astute observation! Yes, during the 19th century, and particularly with the rise of photography, there was a cultural fascination with realism and capturing likeness accurately. Engravings like this served as a way to disseminate images of important figures before photography became easily accessible. It served as historical record and promotional tool. So I think this is doing similar work to the sorts of images of faculty displayed on university web pages today, what do you think? Editor: I never thought about it that way, but it makes perfect sense! It's like the Victorian version of a LinkedIn profile picture! I definitely learned to think of these types of engravings as important means of visual communication, rather than *just* art. Curator: Exactly! And next time you see a meticulously detailed artwork, think about what technologies were influencing its development.