Portret van Sarah Bernhardt 1839 - 1909

This is Auguste Danse's delicate etching of Sarah Bernhardt, now at the Rijksmuseum. The print offers a study in contrasts, setting the intimate scale of the portrait against the grand theatrical presence of its subject. Danse masterfully uses the etching technique to create a range of tonal values. Notice how the density of lines shapes the contours of Bernhardt's face, drawing our eye to her composed expression. The texture of her ruffled collar, achieved through intricate cross-hatching, stands in stark contrast to the smoother background, creating depth and dimension. The use of light and shadow in the work suggests a play of revelation and concealment, echoing Bernhardt's own mastery of dramatic presentation. This print, therefore, isn't simply a likeness; it's a carefully constructed image that engages with ideas of performance, identity, and representation. It invites us to consider how meaning is created through the interplay of artistic skill and cultural context.