Portret van maarschalk Michel Ney, hertog van Elchingen 1815 - 1849

This is a portrait of Marshal Michel Ney, Duke of Elchingen, made by Johannes Christiaan Bendorp using etching, a printmaking technique. The image begins as a drawing incised into a metal plate, usually copper or zinc. Think about the labor involved here. Bendorp would have carefully cut lines into the metal with a sharp needle, working in reverse to create the image. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image is transferred. This process could be repeated many times, allowing for the efficient reproduction and distribution of the artwork. The texture and detail we see – from the rendering of Ney’s uniform to the subtle shading of his face – were achieved through the precise manipulation of line and tone. This print isn't just an image; it's a record of skill, process, and the economies of visual culture. Recognizing this helps us see beyond the subject of the portrait and appreciate the wider social and material context of its creation.