Oude vrouw schilt aardappels in de keuken 1843 - 1898

Felicien Rops made this etching of an old woman peeling potatoes sometime in the late 19th century. Etching is a printmaking technique, and the effect depends entirely on the artist’s hand. Rops would have coated a metal plate with wax, then drawn into it with a sharp needle to expose the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would then bite away the exposed lines. Through this slow, careful process, Rops has created an intimate scene in the dark interior of a humble home. The way Rops renders the woman is particularly striking. The etching technique allows for a wide range of tones, from the deep blacks of the background to the subtle grays of her face. The process of etching, with its reliance on line and texture, mirrors the hard work and material reality of the woman’s life. Looking at this image, one can begin to appreciate the labor-intensive nature of both the depicted scene and the artistry that brings it to life. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can fully understand its meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.