Portret van Cornelie Jannette Walen-Broeksmit 1885 - 1931

This is Frederika Henriëtte Broeksmit's portrait of Cornelie Jannette Walen-Broeksmit, made using an etching technique. The way the lines build up the image feels so process-oriented. Looking closely, you can see the network of fine lines, like a delicate web, creating shadows and volume. The texture of the hair, for instance, isn't just depicted, it's built with these tiny marks. It's as if the artist is thinking through the process of description, letting the physicality of the medium guide the form. Notice the concentration of lines around the eyes and the soft curve of the cheek. There's a fragility to the image, but also a quiet strength in its simplicity. Thinking about other artists who explored similar territory, maybe someone like Käthe Kollwitz, who used etching to capture the raw emotion of human experience. It's all part of this ongoing conversation, isn't it?