Profile Of Helena Rubinstein 

Louis Marcoussis created this drypoint etching of Helena Rubinstein. The drypoint technique involves scratching directly into a metal plate with a sharp needle, creating a burr that holds ink. When printed, this burr results in a soft, velvety line. The process aligns with Rubinstein's own approach to beauty. The focus is on the material's inherent qualities, here translated to the printed image as tonal variation. Look closely and you'll see how the hatching captures the subtleties of light and shadow, delineating her features with precision. This level of detail would have required skill and patience. It is far removed from the rapid reproduction of photographs, instead the labor-intensive craft imbues the portrait with dignity. The material and process are essential to the artwork's meaning. Drypoint printing requires careful labor and control of the materials. This print challenges our ideas about fine art versus craft, inviting us to consider the social context in which it was made.