Portrait of Whistler 1916

Jacques Reich made this portrait of Whistler, using etching, in 1897. It’s all about these tiny, insistent lines that build up the image – the equivalent of laying down a tone in paint, bit by bit. I find it comforting knowing the artist made thousands of decisions in that process. There’s a beautiful contrast in this print between the crisp lines of the chair and the more diffuse, almost smudged areas around Whistler’s face and coat. You can see the drypoint burr creating soft textures that give depth to the shadows and a real sense of volume to Whistler himself, leaning back, holding a hat, very relaxed, yet formal. I’m reminded of Rembrandt’s portraits, which also use etching to capture not just a likeness, but a sense of the sitter's inner life. Like any good portrait, it feels like an attempt to capture a person who is constantly changing, evolving, and escaping definition. Art is a conversation between artists, always changing, always elusive.