Portret van Leopold II 1785 - 1792

This portrait of Leopold II was made by Franz Xaver Gebhard using engraving, a printmaking technique with a long and fascinating history. The process begins with a metal plate, usually copper, into which the artist carefully incises a design. Using a tool called a burin, they carve lines into the metal, the depth and width of which will determine the darkness of the printed line. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Dampened paper is laid on top, and both are run through a press under high pressure, transferring the ink to the paper. Engraving demands precision and control, and traditionally requires years of training. In terms of labor and materials, it speaks to the economies of the image. In this case, Gebhard’s skill and the relative ease of reproducing this portrait through printing means it could be widely distributed, shaping public perception of Leopold II. This reminds us that even seemingly straightforward portraits are the result of skilled work, with a social function.