Jonge vrouw met gebloemde omslagdoek 1886

François de Meersman made this print of a young woman with a floral shawl using etching. The lines you see are not drawn directly, but bitten into the metal plate by acid. The material qualities of the print influence its appearance. Look closely at the delicate lines and the subtle gradations of tone. This was achieved through careful control of the etching process, in which the artist would have applied a resist, scratched away the lines of the image, then submerged the plate in acid. This was likely a laborious undertaking. The floral shawl, which gives the artwork its title, also carries cultural significance. These shawls were fashionable at the time, and their patterns often reflected broader trends in design and consumer culture. By understanding the materials, making process, and the cultural context, we can fully appreciate the artistry of the print, and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.