Portret van een onbekende man 1913

This is Willem Adrianus Grondhout’s "Portret van een onbekende man," made in 1913 using etching. The piece is an arrangement of short, sharp directional lines, a process of building up form that feels immediate and intimate, like a quick sketch capturing a fleeting moment. Look closely, and you'll notice how the texture varies. In the background, the lines are more uniform and densely packed, creating a sense of shadow and depth. But around the face, they become more delicate and sparse, almost caressing the contours of the man's features. The lines around his eyes and mouth are particularly evocative, suggesting a hint of weariness or melancholy. It's as if Grondhout is not just depicting the man's physical appearance, but also trying to capture something of his inner life, or perhaps just a mood. It reminds me a bit of Whistler’s etchings, with that same sensitivity to line and atmosphere. What I love most is the way Grondhout embraces the inherent ambiguity of the medium, leaving room for interpretation and imagination.