Portret van Marilyn Monroe op een spiegel c. 1950 - 1960

Here we have a portrait of Marilyn Monroe on a mirror, made by an anonymous artist. It's kind of haunting isn’t it? The artist uses an engraving technique, or something like it, to create a detailed image out of tiny, repetitive marks. It's a process that invites contemplation – labor intensive, where the final image only emerges through careful, deliberate steps. Up close, you can see the textures in the mirror itself, and the way the light catches on each line, each stroke, giving it a physical presence. Look at the way the lines around her mouth create depth, and how the light bounces off her cheek. It’s almost like she's breathing. It reminds me of some of Chuck Close’s portraits, how a face can be built up from small, abstract units. Ultimately, it's not about perfection, but about the process of seeing and making visible, embracing ambiguity and impermanence.