Portret van Morgan Graves Esq. op 63-jarige leeftijd 1770

Valentine Green created this mezzotint portrait of Morgan Graves in 1770. Mezzotint is an intaglio printmaking process, meaning the image is incised into the plate, which is usually copper. The process begins by roughening the entire plate with a tool called a rocker, creating a dense field of tiny dots that would print as solid black. The artist then uses a scraper and burnisher to selectively smooth areas of the plate, creating lighter tones. It's a labor-intensive, subtractive process, going from dark to light. The velvety texture and rich tonal range are unique to mezzotint. This print demonstrates Green’s mastery of the technique. It would have taken considerable time to produce. Consider the social context: the demand for such portraits reflected the aspirations of the British gentry. The production process, with its skilled labor, mirrors the hierarchies of that society. Appreciating the materiality and making of this print gives us insight into its cultural significance.