Portret van Gabriel Bonnot de Mably c. 1795

This portrait of Gabriel Bonnot de Mably was made by René Devaux as a print on paper. It's not just an image; it's a window into the world of eighteenth-century printmaking. The texture of the lines defines the entire image. Look closely at the lines that create shadows and volume on Mably's face and clothes. The printmaking process involved skilled labor and specialized tools to transfer an image onto a printing plate, showing the values and aesthetics of the time. The act of printing, with its multiple stages and reliance on craft, highlights the labor involved in image-making. Prints like these were relatively accessible, and played a crucial role in disseminating images and ideas. This portrait serves as a reminder that art is not just about the final image. Appreciating the labor and skill involved challenges the distinction between 'high art' and craft, urging us to consider art's broader social and cultural implications.