Portret van Henri Van der Haert 1840 - 1842

This is a portrait of Henri Van der Haert, made by an anonymous artist, using etching techniques on paper. The image's fine lines and details are achieved through careful and precise work, where the artist covers a metal plate with a wax-like substance, and then draws the image into the wax with a sharp needle. Acid is then applied to the plate, biting into the exposed lines. The depth of these lines determines how much ink they hold, and thus how dark they appear when printed. The artist is required to perform manual labor with skill and precision, reflecting the subject's social standing and wealth, as indicated by his fur collar. The resulting print is a testament to the engraver's skill, showing that labor, context, and material, all intertwine to give art its meaning. This piece invites us to consider the many hours dedicated to its production, challenging traditional distinctions between craft and fine art.