Zittende vrouw met hoofddeksel 1874

Carolus-Duran made this etching, Zittende Vrouw met Hoofddeksel, or Seated Woman with Headdress, using metal and acid. Etching involves drawing on a metal plate coated with wax, then submerging it in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. The artist then applies ink to the plate and presses it onto paper, creating the print you see here. What is interesting about etching is that it enables the artist to develop an image through repeated immersion, so that the linework becomes more complex. The process requires a deep understanding of chemistry, and the result bears the mark of the artist’s hand, making each print slightly unique. Notice how the etching captures the soft textures of the woman’s clothing and headdress, highlighting the material richness accessible to the Parisian Bourgeoisie. Paying attention to the process and materials reveals the skill involved in creating this image, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.