Portret van Henriette Marguerite Madeleine Jarre 1886

Albert Ardail created this portrait of Henriette Marguerite Madeleine Jarre using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. The artist would have covered a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground before drawing the portrait with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink was applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface was wiped clean, before the image was transferred to paper under high pressure. This indirect process allowed for multiple impressions, making art more accessible. The final print has a tactile quality, with a slight relief where the ink sits on the paper surface. The subtle tonal gradations and fine details capture the texture of the sitter’s dress and hair, giving the portrait a sense of depth and presence. Thinking about materials and processes helps us appreciate how art reflects social and economic shifts.