Portret van Dante Alighieri 1878 - 1943

This portrait of Dante Alighieri was etched by Willem van Konijnenburg, though the date is unknown. The etching has a frenetic energy, a feeling of pure process, like the artist was thinking through the very act of making. Look at the face, the series of quick, close parallel lines, which give a sense of the poet's internal life. The image is built up out of many small marks, creating a kind of visual texture that you can almost feel with your fingers. The lines on the garments are much more free and expressive, giving a sense of movement and depth. These marks aren’t only descriptive, they’re also emotive. It reminds me of the work of Lovis Corinth, also interested in representing the inner life through intense mark making. Ultimately, the work is a reminder that art isn't about perfect representation, but about a conversation, a dialogue between the artist, the subject, and us, the viewers.