Portret van Carolina Wilhelmina Van Hogendorp-van Haren 1794 - 1800

François Gonord made this small portrait print of Carolina Wilhelmina Van Hogendorp-van Haren using a technique called stipple engraving. The stipple engraving process involved using a tool to create tiny dots on a copper plate. The darker areas of the print are made up of more densely packed dots, while the lighter areas have fewer dots. This technique allowed Gonord to create subtle gradations of tone, capturing the delicate lace of Carolina’s bonnet and the soft folds of her shawl. Consider the intense labor needed to make this portrait. The stipple engraving process was painstaking and time-consuming. The print would have been a luxury object. By focusing on the materials and processes used to create this portrait, we can appreciate the skill of the artist and the value placed on craftsmanship in the 18th century.