Portret van Jacob van Vredenburch 1823 - 1880

This is a portrait of Jacob van Vredenburch, made by Pieter Gerardus Bernhard, in the 19th century, likely using a printmaking technique. Look closely, and you'll see it's not a painting, but rather an intricate network of lines and dots. This suggests the use of engraving or lithography. The artist would have painstakingly transferred the image onto a plate or stone, then used tools to create the fine lines that define the form, the texture of his hair and clothing. This process, like many forms of printmaking, allows for the reproduction of images. In this case, allowing for wider distribution of this likeness. In contrast to the unique value that we place on painting, printmaking is intimately tied to the rise of capitalism and new modes of production. So, next time you look at a print, consider the labor and skill involved in its creation, and its place within a larger social and economic context.