Portret van Karel V Leopold, hertog van Lotharingen 1670 - 1713

This portrait of Charles V Leopold, Duke of Lorraine, was created by Pieter Schenk around the turn of the 18th century. It is a mezzotint print, a painstaking process involving the careful roughening and smoothing of a copper plate to create subtle gradations of tone. The material itself—copper—and the techniques employed are critical to understanding this image. Mezzotint emerged in the 17th century as a way of achieving tonal richness not possible with line engraving. The meticulous labour required reflects the value placed on detailed representation and the social status of the sitter. Schenk skillfully manipulates the burr of the copper to create the illusion of textures, from the Duke's flowing wig to the glint of his armor. Each area of tone is carefully considered, demanding immense patience and expertise. Consider how the material reality of the printmaking process speaks to the labor and skill involved in the production, emphasizing the value of craft in an age of burgeoning industrialization.