Portret van tsaar Alexander I 1798 - 1837

This is a portrait of Tsar Alexander I made by Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar using etching and engraving, techniques that offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of printmaking and its social implications. The intricate lines and tonal variations you see are achieved through the careful manipulation of metal plates. Bagelaar would have used sharp tools to incise lines into the plate, creating grooves that would hold ink. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The choice of printmaking as a medium also speaks volumes about the dissemination of power and influence. In an era before photography, prints like these played a crucial role in circulating images of rulers and political figures, helping to construct and reinforce their authority. This portrait then, is not just an image of a Tsar, but an artifact of power, labor, and the technologies used to shape public perception.