Portret van Melchior Gottlieb Minor 1742

This is a portrait of Melchior Gottlieb Minor, a pastor and inspector from Silesia, made by Johann Martin Bernigeroth in the mid-18th century. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. The lines that define Minor's face, wig, and robes are not drawn but etched, a labor-intensive process. Look closely, and you can see how the density of these lines creates the illusion of shadow and form. Engraving was a highly skilled craft, demanding precision and control. In a time long before photography, printed portraits like these were a way to disseminate images of important figures. The act of engraving transforms the initial artistic vision into a repeatable image, a crucial step in the development of mass media and the circulation of ideas. It’s a powerful reminder that even in art, the means of production shape the message. Appreciating this print means recognizing not just the image, but also the artistry and labor embedded in its making.