Portret van koningin Hortense de Beauharnais 1825 - 1828

Pierre Michel Adam created this portrait of Queen Hortense de Beauharnais sometime in the first half of the 19th century, using a printmaking technique. The fine lines that define the image speak to the skill involved. But the choice of printmaking as a medium also tells us something. Unlike a unique painting or sculpture, prints are made to be multiplied. This connects the artwork to broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. It could be widely distributed and consumed, like other commodities of the time. Think about the material qualities: the texture of the paper, the way the ink sits on the surface, the contrasts between light and shadow. Consider the amount of work involved in the production process, not only by the artist but also the printers who would have assisted in the work's reproduction and dissemination. So, next time you look at a print, remember that it's not just an image, it's a product of its time, embedded in a network of making and meaning.