Herreportræt. Profil til venstre. Karrikatur 1781 - 1791

This caricature of a gentleman was drawn by Marie Jeanne Clemens sometime in the late 18th century. Executed in pen and brown ink on paper, it's a quick, economical drawing. The artist's hand is evident in the hatching that defines the figure's wig and facial features. The thinness of the line suggests a quill pen, which would have required regular re-inking. It's a world away from today's instant-on technology. But don't let the immediacy fool you. Even a sketch like this is a product of the art market. Handmade paper was costly, as was quality ink. And then there's the matter of skill: Clemens had to be trained, which meant access to a network of knowledge, typically unavailable to the working classes. Looking closely at materials and means of production, helps us understand how art is tied to economics, and how even a seemingly simple drawing can reveal a complex web of social relations.