Portret van Johann Heinrich Schütte 1720

Michael Heinrich Rentz created this portrait of Johann Heinrich Schütte using etching, a printmaking process. Here, a metal plate would have been coated with wax, the design scratched into it with a needle, and then acid applied to bite away the exposed lines. Consider the precision needed for such fine details, like the elaborate wig and the folds of fabric, achieved through careful control of the etching process, and the way Rentz manipulates light and shadow. Printmaking allowed for multiples, making images accessible beyond the elite. This was the dawn of mass media, and portraits like this played a role in shaping public identity and professional status. Looking closely, you can see the inscription detailing Schütte's credentials as a doctor and investigator of natural things, indicating the growing importance of scientific inquiry in the 18th century. The level of skill demonstrates the value placed on craftsmanship at the time. Appreciating these prints requires us to look beyond the image and consider the labor, materials, and social context that shaped their creation.