Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1873 - 1899

This is an engraving by Willem Philip van der Veken, depicting an unknown woman. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking process, which involves incising an image onto a metal plate, usually copper or zinc. The engraver uses a tool called a burin to cut lines into the plate, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then inked, and the surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. Here, the fineness of the engraved lines allows for intricate detail, capturing the texture of the sitter's clothing and the delicate ruffles of her collar. The tonal variations achieved through the density and depth of the lines give the portrait depth and volume. Engraving was a highly skilled and labor-intensive process, often used for reproductive prints. It was very much about precision and control, qualities which elevated the status of the printmaker. Appreciating the time and labor involved in its creation challenges us to think about its value, and the historical hierarchies of art and craft.