Hoofd van een jonge vrouw, en profil 1867 - 1890

Philip Zilcken created this print called 'Head of a Young Woman, in Profile' using etching techniques. The most striking feature is the woman's head, softly rendered in profile against a diffuse background of swirling lines and textures. The muted tones and delicate shading lend an air of introspection. The form is created through a network of fine, interwoven lines that coalesce to define the woman’s features and hair, set against a contrasting ethereal space. This tension between precise contour and undefined form encourages you to consider the boundaries between subject and surrounding. Consider how Zilcken uses the formal properties of line and tone to evoke a mood. Is it dreamlike? Perhaps it captures a fleeting moment of thought. The portrait moves beyond mere representation, inviting us to contemplate the interplay between visibility and obscurity. The use of the etching technique allows us to engage with ideas around perception and the self.