Portret van Lodewijk Filips II van Orléans before 1842

This print is a portrait of Louis Phillippe II, Duke of Orléans, and was made anonymously using a technique called etching. Etching is an intaglio printmaking method, where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid. The plate is covered with a waxy ground, upon which the image is drawn with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. Once the ground is removed, the plate is inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The Duke is depicted with precise hatching and delicate lines that capture his likeness and aristocratic dress. Etching was a favored printmaking technique for its ability to produce finely detailed images, making it an ideal choice for portraiture. The amount of work involved in the production process, from preparing the plate to the final print, speaks to the skill of the printmaker, and reminds us that there's a whole system of labor and politics involved, which is tied to wider social issues and consumption. Paying attention to the materials, making, and context allows us to appreciate the full meaning of this portrait and challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.