Portret van Anton Raphael Mengs 1752 - 1803

This delicate portrait of Anton Raphael Mengs was made by Christian Gottlieb Geyser using an engraving technique. Engraving involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate. The plate is then inked, and the ink held in the carved lines is transferred to paper under high pressure. What’s fascinating here is the level of control and precision Geyser needed to achieve the subtle gradations of light and shadow. Notice the fine network of lines creating Mengs's face, and how the density of these lines defines the form. Engraving demanded incredible skill and patience. Each line is a deliberate act, a testament to the engraver's labor. In a world increasingly dominated by mass production, the hand-made quality of this print offers a moment of reflection on the value of skilled work. It reminds us of the human effort embedded in every object, a connection often lost in our modern consumption habits.