Portret van Jacobus Scheltema 1815 - 1835

This is a portrait of Jacobus Scheltema, made by Willem Grebner. It’s a print, so we can assume it was made using a metal plate, likely copper. The process of creating prints like this often involved several stages. First, the artist would create an image by incising lines into the plate with a tool called a burin. Then, the plate would be inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you’ll see the fineness of the lines, particularly in the face. This level of detail speaks to the skill involved. Also, prints like this were part of a wider system of image production. They allowed for the reproduction and distribution of images, contributing to the rise of visual culture and shaping our understanding of the past. So, when you look at this portrait, consider not just the person depicted, but the labor and technical skill involved in its making. Appreciating this print means recognizing its place within a network of craft, technology, and social exchange.