Head of an Old Woman 1620 - 1640

Jan Georg van Vliet created this intimate etching, "Head of an Old Woman," using ink on paper. The tight composition focuses entirely on the subject's head and shoulders, framed by a stark contrast between light and shadow. Notice how van Vliet uses densely packed, almost frantic, lines to define the shadowed areas, particularly around the figure's face and within the dark background. In contrast, the lit areas are rendered with minimal lines, giving form to the wrinkles and contours of the woman's face. The textures created by these lines—rough, uneven, and layered—bring a tactile quality to the image. This use of etching underscores the formal elements, pushing the artwork beyond simple representation. It invites us to consider how the artist uses the medium's intrinsic properties to explore themes of age, visibility, and representation itself.