Vrouw met parasol 1856

This is a print by Polynice Auguste Viette, titled 'Woman with Parasol.' The image is conjured with a few lines etched onto a metal plate, then printed onto paper. While seemingly simple, etching is labor intensive. The artist would have painstakingly carved into the metal, using a needle to define the composition. The plate would then have been inked and pressed onto paper, leaving behind this image. The print’s monochromatic palette enhances its graphic quality, emphasizing the contrast between the delicate lines and the blank space of the paper. The woman’s clothing receives the most elaborate treatment; her patterned dress is depicted in remarkable detail, and she even carries a sun-shading parasol. You can see the image has a handmade feel to it. Ultimately, this print shows how the labor and skills of an artist can transform everyday materials into a powerful form of visual expression. It is an example of art that is intimately connected to the process of its making.