Vrouw met een boek en een paraplu op een stoel buiten 1888 - 1889

Henri Boutet made this etching of a woman with a book and umbrella in the late 19th or early 20th century. Etching is an intriguing process. The artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then draws into that coating with a sharp needle. When the plate is immersed in acid, the drawn lines are exposed, bitten into the metal. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. Boutet was known for capturing the elegance of Parisian women. The etched lines lend a delicate quality to the image, mirroring the subject's refined attire and leisurely pursuit of reading. Yet, the process of etching, with its careful labor and technical skill, underscores the effort behind capturing such seemingly effortless grace. This challenges the traditional hierarchy separating fine art from craft, revealing the artistry inherent in both the subject and the making of the artwork.