Portret van Willem III, prins van Oranje 1688 - 1740

This portrait of William III, Prince of Orange, was made by Johann Georg Seiller, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century. It’s executed in a printmaking technique called mezzotint, which involves roughening the entire surface of a copper plate, then selectively burnishing areas to create lighter tones. Consider the labor involved: first, the meticulous work of preparing the plate, then the careful manipulation to bring forth the image. The fine gradations of tone, almost like a charcoal drawing, demonstrate Seiller’s mastery. Mezzotint was a popular method for reproducing portraits at the time, allowing for a wider distribution of images of important figures like William III. Think of it as an early form of mass media, using skilled handwork to propagate power. The materiality of the print, its capacity for dissemination, is thus integral to its social function. It’s a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are the product of complex processes and social forces.