Portrait of a bearded man holding a book 1745 - 1815

This is a portrait of a bearded man holding a book, made by Bartholomaeus Ignaz Weiss, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. The image is an engraving, meaning that Weiss would have painstakingly cut lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed onto paper. The image is a testament to the engraver’s skill, turning a mundane sheet of paper into a striking likeness of the subject, and the texture and tone achieved give depth to the portrait. The density of the lines creates areas of shadow, while the white of the paper is left untouched to create highlights. This labor-intensive process reflects a pre-industrial mode of production, where the value of the artwork was directly related to the amount of time and skill invested in its creation. In its own way, engraving elevated the status of printmaking as a creative practice, rather than just a reproductive medium. In looking closely at the marks on the paper, we appreciate the artistry inherent in the print, and the engraver's role as a skilled maker.