Hoofd van een man met een tulband 1650 - 1750

This captivating head of a man with a turban was created anonymously, using the printmaking technique of mezzotint. The mezzotint, unlike etching or engraving, is worked from dark to light. First, the entire copper plate is roughened with a tool called a rocker, creating a dense burr that would print as solid black. The printmaker then burnishes or scrapes away areas to create lighter tones and highlights. This laborious process demands immense skill, patience, and control over the material. The velvety richness of the mezzotint lends itself well to portraiture, capturing subtle nuances of light and shadow. The turban, meticulously rendered, showcases the texture of the fabric. Every detail is achieved through the manipulation of the plate’s surface, reflecting hours of focused labor. By emphasizing the process and materiality, we can recognize this anonymous printmaker's virtuosity and challenge the traditional hierarchy between art and craft.