Portret van Jacobus Gerardus Staring 1803 - 1837

Charles Howard Hodges created this portrait of Jacobus Gerardus Staring using the technique of mezzotint. Mezzotint is a printmaking process that allows the artist to create rich, dark tones by first roughening the entire plate with tiny dots made by a tool called a rocker. The artist then smooths or polishes areas to create lighter tones. This is a labor-intensive process, demanding great skill and patience. The velvety blacks and subtle gradations of light and shadow we see here are hallmarks of the medium. The portrait seems to emerge from the darkness, emphasizing Staring's presence. Hodges’s technical mastery also allowed him to capture the texture of Staring’s clothing and the details of his face, conveying both character and status. Hodges's choice of mezzotint elevates the sitter through association with fine art printmaking traditions, reflecting a sophisticated and labor-intensive means of production. This places the work firmly within a context of skilled craftsmanship and aesthetic refinement.