Portrait of Norbert Goeneutte 1876

Marcellin Desboutin created this drypoint etching, "Portrait of Norbert Goeneutte," printed on laid paper. Notice the stark simplicity of the composition; the artist uses a network of fine, deliberate lines to construct the figure. These lines, with their varying densities, map the contours of the subject's form and clothing, capturing the sitter’s casual yet contemplative pose. The texture, achieved through the drypoint technique, gives a tactile quality, particularly evident in the dense cross-hatching that defines shadows and contours. The minimalist approach reflects a modern sensibility, challenging the conventional portraiture of the time. Desboutin reduces the subject to essential lines and tones, disrupting traditional notions of representation. This approach invites the viewer to consider the underlying structure of the image and the nature of portraiture itself. The etching embodies an exploration of form and materiality, reflecting the shift in artistic values that favored subjective expression over objective likeness.