Portretten van Samuel Verveer en Jan Weissenbruch 1863

These twin portraits of Samuel Verveer and Jan Weissenbruch were made by Frederik Hendrik Weissenbruch, using the printmaking technique of etching. The controlled, meticulous labor involved in etching influences the appearance of the artwork, with its fine, precise lines and intricate details. An etching begins with a metal plate, usually copper or zinc, which is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance known as the 'ground'. The artist then draws their image into the ground with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating incised grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling the grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. Weissenbruch's skillful manipulation of the etching medium has imbued the artwork with a sense of detail and depth, but also calls attention to the skilled work required to produce it. The artist’s labor is thus made visible, challenging any hierarchy between art, craft, and the world of work.