Portret van schilder Frans Hals 1847 - 1906

William Unger made this portrait of the painter Frans Hals, using the printmaking technique of etching. The appeal of etching lies in its directness; the artist draws an image into a prepared metal plate with a sharp needle, then bathes the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, and these grooves are what hold the ink during printing. Here, the etched lines capture the lively essence of Hals's painted portraits. Notice how Unger has varied the depth and density of the lines to create a range of tones, from the dark shadows of the hair to the delicate rendering of the lace collar. Unger’s choice of etching is significant. In an era of increasing industrialization, printmaking offered a means of both artistic expression and wider distribution. The etched portrait could circulate Hals's image, democratizing access to art. So this print is not just a portrait, but a testament to the changing landscape of art and its relationship to society.