Silhouet van Hendrik van Maarseveen 1793

Reinier Vinkeles made this silhouette portrait of Hendrik van Maarseveen using etching, a printmaking technique, sometime around the late 18th century. The design is first drawn with a needle through a wax ground on a metal plate, which is then submerged in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines that hold ink. The delicate lines and subtle gradations of tone speak to Vinkeles' skill. But what makes this print particularly interesting is how it intersects with social status. Silhouettes were a popular and affordable alternative to painted portraits, allowing a wider range of people to participate in the culture of image-making. This speaks to the increasing democratization of art during the period, fueled by technological advancements in printing and a growing middle class eager to assert its presence. So, next time you look at a print, remember that it is not just an image, but the result of skilled labor and complex social forces.