Portret van Philipp Ludwig Wittwner 1790

This is a portrait of Philipp Ludwig Wittwner by Christoph-Wilhelm Bock, made as an engraving. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking process. An image is incised into a plate, traditionally copper, using a tool called a burin. This requires considerable skill, as the depth of the lines determines the darkness of the printed image. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Paper is then pressed against the plate, transferring the ink to create the print. Engravings like this one were often used for portraits and book illustrations because they allowed for precise detail and multiple reproductions. The process also allowed for a clear, linear style well-suited to portraying the sitter with clarity and a sense of decorum. By understanding the labor-intensive process of engraving, we can appreciate the skill involved in creating this image.