Italiaanse vrouw met tamboerijn in de hand 1888

Willem Steelink created this artwork of an Italian woman with a tambourine using etching techniques. The portrait captures a woman against a stark threshold. The composition is striking: on one side, the dark, densely etched space and on the other, the defined edge of the doorway with delicate lines. The woman is positioned between these two contrasting fields. The juxtaposition creates a semiotic tension, as the etching uses the interplay of light and shadow to explore themes of liminality and transition. The tambourine in her hand and her poised stance suggest a performative element, which is heightened by the medium's intrinsic textural qualities. Steelink's use of etching emphasizes line and form. This is especially prominent in the details of the clothing. These details play a crucial role in mediating the semiotic exchange between subject, artist, and viewer.