Portret van Hermann Christian Gottfried Demme 1822 - 1830

This portrait of Hermann Christian Gottfried Demme was made with etching, by Tobias Falke. Etching is a printmaking process that uses acid to create lines in a metal plate. The plate would first be covered with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal underneath. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. The deeper and more numerous the lines, the darker the print when the plate is inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see how Falke varied the density of lines to create subtle gradations of tone, capturing the texture of Demme’s coat and the delicate frills of his cravat. The etching process allowed for a relatively quick and efficient reproduction of images, making portraits like this accessible to a wider audience, against the backdrop of increasing industrialization and consumer culture. Appreciating the skill and labor involved in etching reminds us that even seemingly mass-produced images have a rich history of craft and artistry behind them.