Portret van mevrouw Kettle met luit 1749 - 1813

This print of Mrs. Kettle with a lute was made by Valentine Green, who lived from 1739 to 1813. It’s made using a process called mezzotint. In this technique, the metal plate is first roughened evenly, creating a surface that would print as solid black. The artist then works back into this surface with tools to burnish or scrape away the burr, creating areas that hold less ink and print in shades of gray. Think of it as sculpting light and shadow, rather than drawing lines. Mezzotint was prized for its ability to produce rich, velvety tones. It was also labor-intensive, demanding great skill and time, which raises questions about the social status of both the artist and the sitter. Green was a leading exponent of this technique, which occupied a space between mechanical reproduction and artistic virtuosity. Understanding the labor and skill embedded in the mezzotint process helps us to appreciate the artistry involved.