Zittende jonge vrouw 1853 - 1916

This print was made by jonkheer Victor Eugène Louis de Stuers. It probably dates from the late 19th century, judging from the sitter’s costume. The image is an etching, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then inked and transferred to paper. Notice how the artist captured the elaborate dress of the era, all the frills and folds, using only the thinnest of lines. The etching process allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images, making art more accessible. But let's not forget that it still took skilled labor. Moreover, the fashion on display speaks to the labor-intensive processes involved in textile production and dressmaking, especially at that time. Considering the work involved in both its making and its subject, this print asks us to consider the value of labor, skill, and representation, reminding us that even seemingly simple artworks are deeply embedded in material culture and social history.