Portret van Carl Sigismund Grundherr von Altenthann und Weyherhaus 1676 - 1737

This is a portrait of Carl Sigismund Grundherr von Altenthann und Weyherhaus, made by Andreas Matthäus Wolfgang in the early 18th century. It’s an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. The success of an engraving lies in the skill of the engraver, who must translate tones and textures into a language of lines and dots. Look closely, and you’ll see how Wolfgang varied the density and direction of these marks to create a convincing illusion of depth, light, and shadow. The fine lines capture the delicate lace of the sitter's collar, and the flowing fabric draped in the background, all rendered through the labor-intensive process of hand engraving. Prints like this one were relatively affordable, which helped to democratize portraiture. While only the wealthiest could commission a painted portrait, a printed image like this allowed a wider range of people to participate in the culture of display and commemoration.