Henrik Rantzau 1753 - 1754

This print of Henrik Rantzau was made by Jonas Haas sometime in the 18th Century. It’s an etching, a process by which lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then filled with ink and printed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll notice the density of fine lines used to create tone and shadow. The armor, especially, has been rendered with impressive skill. Haas used varied line weights and cross-hatching to describe the metal's texture and the way light reflects off its surface. This printmaking method allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, making it perfect for disseminating portraits, but it also shows a remarkable command of a difficult craft. The subject, of course, is of no small importance here. Rantzau was a prominent military figure, and the image, as a result, becomes an assertion of power, carefully mediated through the skilled labor of the artist, Haas. It's a fascinating convergence of social status, artisanal skill, and the mechanics of reproduction.