Sketch of a Young Lady in Violet (Esquisse de jeune femme a la violette) by Norbert Goeneutte

Sketch of a Young Lady in Violet (Esquisse de jeune femme a la violette) 

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drawing, print, etching, ink

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portrait

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drawing

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print

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impressionism

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etching

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ink

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line

Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

Norbert Goeneutte’s "Sketch of a Young Lady in Violet" is an etching, a printmaking technique that uses acid to cut into a metal plate, inking the incised lines to produce an image. The artist would have covered a copper or zinc plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then, using a pointed tool, he scratched away the ground, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid, the exposed lines are bitten, creating recessed lines. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, it’s pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The resulting lines are delicate, almost trembling with energy. This quality is crucial: it suggests the immediacy of a sketch. But the amount of labor required is significant: Goeneutte had to be technically precise, and his artistry is inseparable from his mastery of a demanding printmaking technique. This combination of effort and delicacy elevates the work beyond a mere study, underscoring the value of skilled craftsmanship.

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