Portret van Claude Debussy 1872 - 1934

This delicate portrait of Claude Debussy was made by Armand Rassenfosse, but when, we don’t know. The subtlety and softness of this etching immediately strikes me. I imagine Rassenfosse in his studio, hunched over the plate, carefully applying acid to capture the likeness of the composer. It’s a study in tonal control, from the light reflecting off Debussy’s brow to the shadowy depths of his beard. What was the nature of their meeting, one wonders? Did they talk about art and music? Rassenfosse has managed to capture something essential about Debussy, not just his physical appearance but also his introspective nature. It reminds us that artists, whether visual or musical, are always looking, listening, and responding to the world around them.