Portret van een onbekende heer met hoge hoed 1885 - 1888

This is Louise Danse's etching of an unknown gentleman in a top hat, held at the Rijksmuseum. The composition is dominated by the figure’s face and the striking dark mass of his high hat, set against a stark, blank background. The artist uses densely packed, fine lines to define the contours and shading, creating a sense of depth and volume despite the monochromatic palette. The meticulous mark-making reveals a play between light and shadow, which animates the portrait, lending it an almost uncanny presence. The texture created by these lines invites us to consider not just the surface of the image, but also the process by which it was created. This etching, with its concentration on the structure and form of the subject, draws attention to how we perceive identity. It's a study in contrasts, a semiotic play between revelation and concealment.