Zelfportret van Christoph Wilhelm Bock op 43-jarige leeftijd 1799

This is a self-portrait made by Christoph Wilhelm Bock, a citizen of Nuremberg when he was 43 years old. It's an engraving, meaning that Bock would have used a tool called a burin to incise lines into a metal plate, likely copper. The plate would then be inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see the incredible density of these lines, which create the tonal variations that model Bock’s face and clothing. It's a demanding, meticulous process, one that requires both technical skill and artistic vision. In its time, engraving was a key technology, allowing images to be reproduced and disseminated widely. Bock’s choice of this medium speaks to a desire for self-presentation but also participation in a broader visual culture. The amount of labor required in the production process is significant, especially compared to other printing processes. Consider that the next time you see an engraving – it's not just an image, but a record of skilled labor.