Portret van Garlieb Sillem 1729 - 1776

Johann Christian Gottfried Fritzsch created this portrait of Garlieb Sillem sometime in the 1700s, using engraving. The print is made by carefully incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing paper against it, revealing the image. Look closely, and you'll see the crisp precision, and the fine lines that give depth to the portrait. This was a labor-intensive process, requiring great skill. The choice of engraving speaks to the era's values of precision, and the rise of print culture. The sharp, repeatable image mirrors the values of the Enlightenment, favoring reason and clarity. The technique allowed for mass production, and distribution of images, reflecting the growing importance of commerce and communication. Engravings like this were crucial in disseminating images and ideas across Europe. By looking at the materials and the making, we understand not just a portrait, but also the social context that gave it meaning. It blurs the line between art and craft, inviting us to appreciate both the skill involved and the cultural work it performed.