Portret van Valentin Zherné 18th century

This is J.S.L. Halle’s “Portret van Valentin Zherné,” an engraving of a man encircled by an oval frame. Engraving, a printmaking technique, demands meticulous skill. The artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, usually copper. The depth and spacing of these lines determine the tones and textures of the final image. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink to create the print. The fine lines capture the likeness of Valentin Zherné, along with his dress and the world around him. The final print, as we see it, is the result of an intensive labor process, reflecting both artistic skill and the mechanics of reproduction. By understanding the labor and materials involved, we recognize that “Portret van Valentin Zherné” is not just an image, but an object born from a complex interplay of craft, technology, and social context.