Portret van Wilhelm Traugott Krug 1795 - 1895

This is a portrait of Wilhelm Traugott Krug by Friedrich August Brückner, created using an engraving technique. Engraving is a meticulous process. The artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, often copper. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the carved lines, and the surface is wiped clean. When paper is pressed against the plate, the ink transfers, creating the image. The crisp, precise lines you see here are a hallmark of this printmaking method, allowing for detailed portraits and intricate designs. Consider the labor involved in creating such a piece: the skilled hand required to manipulate the burin, the time spent meticulously carving each line, and the expertise needed to print the image. This connects the print to a wider history of craft and skilled labor. Prints like this allowed for the wider distribution of images, connecting artistry with emerging systems of production and consumption.