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Amelia Elizabeth, Landgravine of Hesse

17th century
Not on view
This accomplished portrait ranks as the first mezzotint ever made. Siegen sent it to the sitter, his former patron Amelia Elizabeth, landgravine of Hesse-Cassel, in August 1642, accompanied by a letter in which he described the technique—and claimed its invention. To roughen the copper printing plate and create the burr that would hold the ink, Siegen used roulettes of various gauges and designs, as well as a dotting tool; their textures remain visible here in the finished work. Although roulettes had been used for centuries by other artisans, working (for example) in leather or metal, Siegen was the first to use them as drawing tools.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Amelia Elizabeth, Landgravine of Hesse
  • Artist: Ludwig von Siegen (German, 1609–after 1676)
  • Date: 17th century
  • Medium: Mezzotint; first state
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 16 7/16 x 11 15/16 in. (41.8 x 30.3 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1918
  • Object Number: 18.47
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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