Portret van Jan Kortenhoef Smith 1789 - 1822

This is a portrait of Jan Kortenhoef Smith, made by Jan Willem Caspari, sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century. It’s an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. Look closely, and you’ll see how the varying density of lines creates areas of dark and light, defining Smith’s features and clothing. The process demands immense skill and patience, requiring the engraver to translate three-dimensional form into a two-dimensional matrix of strokes. The choice of engraving as a medium is significant. It’s a reproductive technique, allowing for the relatively easy distribution of images. In a pre-photographic era, prints like these were vital for disseminating likenesses, ideas, and information. Consider the labor involved, the expertise required, and the social function of this kind of image. It reminds us that even seemingly simple artworks are deeply embedded in the technologies, economies, and social practices of their time. By attending to these aspects, we can appreciate the full richness of this portrait.