Portret van William Pitt 1766

Richard Houston created this portrait of William Pitt using mezzotint, a printmaking process achieving rich tones. Mezzotint involves roughening a copper plate with a tool called a rocker, creating thousands of tiny burrs that hold ink. The artist then smooths areas with a burnisher and scraper, varying the darkness of the print by controlling how much ink each area holds. This labor-intensive process allowed Houston to achieve the subtle gradations of tone seen in Pitt’s face and the intricate patterns of his coat. This technique was highly valued for its ability to reproduce paintings and create independent portraits like this one, catering to a growing market for images of prominent figures. The production of mezzotints involved skilled craftsmanship, and their distribution relied on established networks of print sellers, reflecting the commercialization of art in the 18th century. Looking at this print, we can appreciate how material, making, and context are all equally important.