Vrouw in de klederdracht van Calabrië 1836 - 1912

This is Eugène Smits's "Vrouw in de klederdracht van Calabrië," an etching. The printmaking process gives the image its stark contrasts, born from labor-intensive methods. Smits carefully scratched lines into a metal plate, a direct engagement with the material, forcing the ink to settle into these grooves before being transferred to paper. The linear quality, combined with the tonal range achieved through etching, defines the artwork's appearance. The etched lines not only depict the Calabrian woman's traditional dress, but also evoke a sense of texture and weight. The shadows created through varied line densities add depth to the figure, emphasizing the folds and contours of her attire. The choice of printmaking is also significant. It’s inherently reproducible, allowing wider access to the image. This speaks to the democratizing potential of the medium, contrasting the unique handwork invested into making the printing plate, and the mass-produced image. This piece serves as a reminder of the social and cultural meanings embedded in both the subject matter and its mode of production.