Mademoiselle Van P. 1885 - 1931

Frederika Henriëtte Broeksmit created this etching, Mademoiselle Van P., using delicate lines and a subtle tonal range. The artwork is defined by its intimate scale and its focus on the delicate modelling of the subject's features. The composition is dominated by the head and shoulders of the sitter, rendered in profile, which allows the viewer to fully appreciate the intricate network of etched lines that define the form. Broeksmit skillfully uses the etching technique to create a play of light and shadow, enhancing the textural depth of the subject’s face and head covering. The light seems to gently caress the contours, softening the features while drawing attention to the nuanced expression conveyed by the downturned gaze. The artist's method invites contemplation on the relationship between form and representation, where the very structure of the etching becomes a means to convey a sense of introspective beauty. It is through this formal mastery that Broeksmit transforms a simple portrait into a deeper study of character and artistic expression.