Portret van Adriaan van der Hoop Jr. 1822 - 1845

This is a portrait of Adriaan van der Hoop Jr., made with engraving techniques by an anonymous artist. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking process, which means the image is incised into a surface, in this case probably a metal plate, and the incised lines hold the ink. This process requires immense skill and precision, with the engraver using tools to carve lines into the plate. The depth and thickness of the lines determine the tonal variation in the final print. The nature of engraving, with its reliance on fine lines and tonal gradations, imbues the portrait with a sense of refinement and formality. The social context is equally important: portraits such as these became more accessible as a result of the development of mechanical reproduction techniques. The level of work involved in the making of this portrait, from the engraver to the printing press operator, and its accessibility, reflects a wider shift in artistic practices, one that challenges traditional distinctions between high art and craft.