Cornelia Rothe 1774

This print, "Cornelia Rothe," was made by Jonas Haas in the 18th century. It's an etching, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed. Look closely, and you can see how the density of the lines creates areas of shadow and light. The choice of printmaking, rather than painting, is important here. While oil on canvas was the traditional medium for portraiture, etching was more closely associated with commercial production. It allowed for multiples to be made, satisfying a growing demand for images among the middle class. And while the sitter here clearly belongs to the upper echelons of society, her representation in this form speaks to a subtle shift in the function of art. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we gain insight into the changing social and economic landscapes of the 1700s.