Portret van Hermann von Boyen 1808 - 1868

Carl Mayer created this portrait of Hermann von Boyen using a printmaking technique. The intricate lines and tonal variations were achieved through a process that likely involved engraving or etching, skilled techniques demanding precision and control. Note the sharp details of Boyen’s military attire, from the textured epaulettes to the meticulously rendered medals. Printmaking was essential to nineteenth-century visual culture, allowing for mass production and distribution of images. This portrait would have served to propagate Boyen’s image as a symbol of Prussian military and state power. The labor-intensive nature of the printmaking process contrasts with the mass-produced output, reflecting broader tensions between craft and industrialization. Considering the materials, processes, and social context of this print allows us to appreciate the skill involved in its creation and its role in disseminating political imagery. By understanding these elements, we can move beyond traditional art historical categories and appreciate the broader cultural significance of this artwork.