Buste van een jonge vrouw 1773 - 1774

Louis Marin Bonnet created this print, "Buste van een jonge vrouw," using the crayon manner technique. Notice how the oval frame dominates, creating a contained space for the delicate portrait. The subject, rendered in profile, is set against a ground of fine lines, a texture that softens the contrast and evokes a gentle, almost melancholic mood. The subtle use of color, primarily in the flesh tones and the hints of her garment, brings a warmth to the composition. Bonnet’s choice of the crayon manner—mimicking the texture of chalk or pastel—reflects the 18th-century interest in surface and texture. This technique aligns with the broader artistic trends of the time, emphasizing delicacy and refinement, ideas that challenged previous notions of art as purely representational. This engraving exists as a cultural artifact, embodying the values and aesthetic preferences of its time.