Portret van Samuel, Freiherr von Cocceji 1779 - 1836

Johann Friedrich Bolt created this portrait of Samuel, Freiherr von Cocceji using etching and engraving, a printmaking technique. The image emerges from the surface through careful and precise work. The material, paper, plays a crucial role; its smooth surface allowing for fine lines that define the nobleman's features and elaborate wig. Look closely, and you'll notice how the artist used tiny, dense marks to build up areas of shadow, giving the portrait depth. The lines create texture, from the smooth skin to the elaborate folds of his clothing. Etching and engraving demand skilled labor, reflecting the growing print culture and the rise of illustrated books and portraits in the 18th and 19th centuries. The act of making the print also allowed for reproducibility. This portrait highlights how the combination of material, process, and social context shaped artistic expression in the past, blurring the boundaries between craft and fine art.