Portret van Madame Carrière 1893

Eugene Carriere made this portrait of Madame Carrière using lithography, a printmaking technique, sometime in the late 19th century. Lithography involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This process, while seemingly straightforward, demands a high degree of skill. The artist must master the properties of the materials, controlling the subtle balance between grease, water, and pressure to achieve the desired image. In this portrait, the lithographic process results in soft, hazy textures that give the portrait an ethereal quality, which softens her features. The final print is evidence of the artist's labor, revealing his mastery over a process capable of capturing both subtle nuance and powerful expression. Understanding the labor and skill involved in such a process bridges the perceived gap between fine art and craft, allowing us to appreciate the material intelligence that is embedded in this seemingly simple portrait.