Portret van Emanuel Pinto da Fonseca 1730 - 1802

This is Johann Christian Gottfried Fritzsch’s “Portret van Emanuel Pinto da Fonseca”, an engraving made sometime in the 18th century. Engraving is a demanding intaglio process. The artist meticulously carves lines into a metal plate, traditionally copper, using a tool called a burin. Ink is then forced into these lines, the surface wiped clean, and the image transferred to paper under high pressure. The resulting print bears the marks of this labor-intensive method, with crisp lines and subtle gradations of tone. Notice the fine lines that define Emanuel Pinto's features, the intricate details of his wig, and the ornate frame surrounding his portrait. These were all achieved through careful, controlled cuts into the metal. The act of engraving elevates the portrait to an object of status and artistic skill. It moves it from a representation to a crafted artifact, embodying the cultural values of refinement, precision, and artistry.