Portret van Hermanus Boerhaave 1735 - 1800

This small portrait of Hermanus Boerhaave was made anonymously, using the technique of mezzotint. Mezzotint is an intaglio printmaking process. The whole surface of the plate is roughened, using a tool called a rocker. If printed at this stage, the plate would print entirely black. The image is created by selectively burnishing or scraping away the burr to create smooth areas that will hold less ink and print lighter tones. This portrait reveals the handwork involved in its creation. The velvety blacks of the background contrast with the smooth highlights on Boerhaave's face. The meticulous labor required for mezzotint meant that prints like these were relatively precious. This contrasts with the later advent of photography, which made image production vastly more accessible. Considering the material processes behind this print reminds us that all images, even seemingly straightforward portraits, are the product of skilled work and deliberate choices.