Buste van een jonge vrouw 1767

Louis Marin Bonnet created this print of a young woman in the late 18th century, using a technique called pastel manner. This process was devised to mimic the appearance of pastel drawings – a popular, relatively immediate medium prized for its delicate color. But instead of drawing directly, Bonnet created a printing plate. He used tools to roughen the surface, enabling it to hold different colored inks. The printmaker would then apply these colors à la poupée – meaning “with the doll” – carefully dabbing each area of the plate with a cloth or dauber. The result is a remarkable feat of illusion, giving the impression of soft, chalky strokes. It is also a reminder that even seemingly spontaneous effects are often the product of painstaking, highly skilled labor. Bonnet's technique elevated printmaking to new heights, blurring the lines between mechanical reproduction and handcrafted artistry.