Portret van de schrijver en dichter Jean de La Fontaine 1833

This is a portrait of the writer and poet Jean de La Fontaine, made by Zéphirin Belliard. It’s an engraving, a printmaking technique where the artist carefully cuts lines into a metal plate, applies ink, and transfers the image onto paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice the incredible detail Belliard achieved through this laborious process. The lines create subtle gradations of light and shadow, defining the contours of La Fontaine’s face and the voluminous curls of his wig. Engraving has a long history, closely tied to the development of mass media and the spread of information. It was a skilled craft, demanding precision and patience. Consider the sheer amount of work that went into creating this one image, multiplied by however many prints were made! This print is not just a likeness of a famous writer; it’s also a testament to the artistry and labor embedded in the printmaking process itself. By appreciating the material and the making, we gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance, beyond the traditional boundaries of fine art.