F. Leith Ross met de juffrouw 1872 - 1950

Barbara Elisabeth van Houten made this etching, showing F. Leith Ross with the governess, using the process of eating away at a metal plate with acid to create an image. The result is a study in contrast, of dark and light, and a real sense of being in the room with these people. You can see the way she’s built up the image from a mass of tiny, chaotic marks. Take a look at the lower part of the image, near the floor. See how the marks are more chaotic? Then compare them to the directionality of the marks on the tablecloth and in the background. There is a sense of cohesion that suggests a unified space. It reminds me of some of Whistler’s etchings, actually, or maybe Vuillard, who built up these incredible scenes from hundreds of marks. Like them, Van Houten has a great sense of observation. I love the way the image is suggestive, and not overly defined, leaving space for the viewer to interpret the scene in their own way.