Portret van een vrouw 1890 - 1930

This is a portrait of a woman, made by Philip Zilcken, but I don’t know exactly when or with what materials. The touch is feathery, see how the marks build up to define the soft contour of her face? The etched lines are so delicate; they remind me that drawing is a conversation. Look at the etched marks suggesting shadows under her cheekbone and jaw; they give her face depth and volume. The overall effect is subtle and intimate. It feels like a fleeting moment, a quiet observation captured in a web of lines. Zilcken’s print reminds me a little of Whistler’s etchings, with their quiet, contemplative mood. I am not sure if he knew Whistler’s work, but there seems to be an echo of that sensibility here. What do you think? Ultimately, with a piece like this, the meaning is always open, shifting with each viewer and each viewing.