Twee vrouwen bij open raam begroeten man 1780

This print, titled "Two Women Greeting a Man at an Open Window" was created by Marie-Elisabeth Thibault using an engraving technique. The image is composed of thousands of tiny lines incised into a copper plate. To achieve this level of detail would have taken an immense amount of skill and labor, revealing Thibault's command of the engraver's burin. You see this especially in the rendering of the figures’ elaborate clothing, and the architecture of the room they occupy. The density and direction of the lines create areas of light and shadow, describing the forms and textures within the scene. Note the contrast between the smooth surfaces of the walls, and the intricate folds of the fabric. The material of the print, paper, is smooth and white, and it’s this surface which shows off Thibault’s incised lines. The print represents an exchange between people, but also one of skill and artistry. Thibault was a master of her craft and made full use of its potential. It reminds us that the true value of a piece of art lies not only in its aesthetic appeal, but also in the materials used, and the labor and skill of the artist.