Mor Thule 1868

Kristian Zahrtmann created this etching, "Mor Thule," using the technique of etching, which renders a network of fine, deliberate lines. These lines sculpt the face of an old woman with striking immediacy. Notice how the etched lines define every wrinkle and fold, each line contributing to the overall sense of age and weariness. The artist employs hatching to build up the tones, creating depth and shadow that model her features, giving us a glimpse into the life etched onto her face. Zahrtmann seems to be playing with the symbolic weight of his subject. The title itself evokes Thule, a mythical, far-northern land, which suggests themes of isolation and endurance. This aligns with the formal qualities, as the starkness of the medium highlights the unvarnished reality of aging, challenging idealized portrayals. It invites us to consider how such visual choices challenge fixed notions of beauty and value.