Buste van een oude vrouw met hoofddoek, van opzij gezien 1833 - 1891

Théodule Ribot created this etching titled "Buste van een oude vrouw met hoofddoek, van opzij gezien" – or "Bust of an old woman with headscarf, seen from the side" – which resides in the Rijksmuseum. The print's composition is striking. A solemn, elderly woman is captured in profile, her headscarf and dark hair acting as bold masses against the stark, linear background. Ribot's mark-making is especially compelling. Notice how he uses densely packed, vertical lines to suggest depth and shadow, contrasting these with the lighter, more delicate strokes that define the woman's face. This interplay between light and shadow not only models her features but also imbues the portrait with a somber, contemplative mood. The textures of the headscarf, rendered with a rough and varied touch, add a tactile quality, inviting a deeper engagement with the subject's presence. Ribot's technique underscores the formal structure of the image and contributes to its overall emotional impact.