Portret van Maria II Stuart 1688 - 1724

Jacob Gole made this portrait of Maria II Stuart using the technique of mezzotint. Mezzotint is a painstaking printmaking process, capable of rendering a wide range of tones. The plate is roughened in its entirety with a tool called a rocker, creating countless little burrs that would produce a solid black if printed. The artist then works back into this darkness with a scraper and burnisher to create lighter tones. This print is a testament to Gole’s mastery of the technique. Look closely, and you'll see how he's used the subtle gradations of tone to convey the texture of Maria’s dress, the sheen of her pearls, and the weight of the orb she holds. The intensive labor involved in mezzotint is quite something, but it was an ideal medium to reproduce portraits that would circulate widely, extending the reach and influence of the monarchy. Considering the material, the making, and the context allows us to appreciate not only the skill of the artist but also the social and political forces at play in the creation and dissemination of this image.