Portret van Liesbeth van Rijn(?) 1616 - 1665

This is Willem van der Leeuw’s portrait of Liesbeth van Rijn, rendered in etching with a burin. The portrait presents a stark figure against a dense background. The dark hatching emphasizes depth, giving a tactile presence to the sitter’s form, and the texture of her garments. The subdued palette allows the composition to be driven by tonal contrast, giving a sense of gravity. It is through this manipulation of light and shadow that Leeuw conveys not just an image, but an engagement with concepts of identity, status, and the very act of seeing. The piece’s formal attributes evoke the subject’s persona and the aesthetic values of its time. In this subtle interplay between technique and subject, the work embodies a moment of self-awareness, inviting contemplation on the interplay between what is shown and what is suggested.