Portret van Eva Gonzalès 1856 - 1897

Henri-Charles Guérard created this drypoint titled 'Portret van Eva Gonzalès’, now in the Rijksmuseum. The portrait emerges from a hazy background through a delicate dance of lines. The texture is soft and velvety, achieved by the drypoint technique, where the artist scratches directly into the metal plate creating a burr which holds ink. The composition guides our eyes to Gonzalès’s face, softly lit and rendered with a sensitivity that captures her thoughtful gaze. The direction of her gaze creates a sense of space and depth within the frame. The dark accents of her hair and collar anchor the composition, providing a contrast to the lighter tones of her skin and dress. Guérard’s use of the drypoint medium is more than just technique; it is a deliberate choice that echoes the broader artistic concerns of his time. The formal qualities of the work reveal an engagement with impressionism, evident in the emphasis on light, atmosphere, and the ephemeral nature of perception. This piece does not merely represent a person, it captures a moment of fleeting beauty.