Buste van een onbekende vrouw 1758 - 1808

Christina Chalon created this miniature etching of an unknown woman, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The portrait is defined by the delicate yet assertive network of lines, forming shapes that bring the woman to life. The composition is framed within a circle, where hatching creates a stark contrast to the figure. Notice how Chalon’s use of lines directs our gaze, from the dense cross-hatching that models the hood to the more delicate strokes defining her facial features. This technique not only gives form but also expresses a certain psychology, capturing a fleeting expression. In this small format, Chalon challenges the conventional portrait. Rather than idealizing her subject, she uses the raw, linear quality of the etching to portray a sense of humanity. The cross-hatching could be interpreted as a metaphor for the complexities and intersections of life. The woman’s gaze and subtle smile destabilize fixed meanings of beauty and representation.