Portret van Hyacinthe Le Blanc 1755 - 1765

This is a portrait of Hyacinthe Le Blanc, made by Sébastien Pinssio. It is made with engraving, a printmaking process using a metal plate. The engraver would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into the plate's surface, with the depth and thickness of each mark carefully controlled. 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 image. The engraver's skill is clear in the delicate rendering of Le Blanc's face and elaborate garments. Engraving was a labor-intensive and highly skilled craft, requiring years of training. In Pinssio's time, prints like these were a crucial part of the era's visual culture. They were often commissioned for reproduction and distribution as keepsakes, playing a key role in shaping public perceptions. Recognizing the artistry involved invites us to think more broadly about the relationship between art, labor, and social status.