An old woman holding a glass and a piece of paper, a child at left and a man behind her at right 1635 - 1675

Editor: This is "An old woman holding a glass and a piece of paper, a child at left and a man behind her at right", an etching by Jacques Dassonville, made sometime between 1635 and 1675. I’m struck by how intimate and detailed it is, despite being a relatively small print. What catches your eye? Curator: The composition, while seemingly casual, is meticulously constructed. Note the subtle interplay of diagonals, from the child’s gaze upwards to the man behind the old woman, which create a dynamic movement across the picture plane. Editor: So it’s not just a simple snapshot, then? I initially thought it felt very natural, like a scene from daily life. Curator: Consider how the artist employs line. The density of the hatching varies greatly to simulate form and shadow, particularly in the folds of the clothing. Where is your attention drawn because of this? Editor: Definitely to the old woman. Her face is so expressive, and the glass she’s holding catches the light. Also the way the cross-hatching behind her gives depth and darkness to the piece as a whole. Does the paper she's holding give you any thoughts? Curator: It's a compositional element, mirroring the bright and subtle textures elsewhere. Observe how Dassonville balances light and shadow through his intricate use of line. Editor: It’s amazing how much detail he achieves with just lines! Curator: Precisely! And it’s through this detail that the work transcends a mere genre scene. The artist compels us to engage in a formal dialogue with his creation, prompting reflection. Editor: I see what you mean. I was so focused on the narrative; I missed the underlying structure and artistic choices. Thank you! Curator: Likewise, reflecting on this print reveals nuances previously unseen, reinforcing my appreciation for the power of formal analysis.