Portret van Robert Drummond c. 1764 - 1766

This portrait of Robert Drummond was made by James Watson, using a printmaking technique called mezzotint. It’s a laborious process, requiring the printmaker to first roughen the entire copper plate with a tool called a rocker, creating a solid burr. Then, working from dark to light, the artist burnishes or scrapes away the burr to create smooth areas that will hold less ink. Here, Watson has masterfully manipulated the plate to render Drummond's voluminous robes, the gleam of his accessories, and the texture of his wig. The high level of skill involved in mezzotint made it ideal for replicating paintings for mass consumption, allowing a wider audience to access images of the elite. Though it appears effortless, the print embodies a significant amount of physical labor. Consider the social context of the piece: this wasn't just a portrait of a man, but a demonstration of the economic systems that enabled its production. It challenges us to think about the making and the context of production, not just the final image.