Portret van een onbekend jong meisje, mogelijk P. van Eersel 1887

Louise Danse made this etching of an unknown young girl, possibly P. van Eersel, in the late 19th century. Portraits were a popular way for the European middle classes to represent their status, wealth, and power. Etchings such as these made portraits more affordable. This etching is a great example of the institutional support available to female artists during this period. Although excluded from formal art academies, women were able to learn etching techniques in private studios or women’s art schools. In this etching, the child is self-assured. She holds a cane as a symbol of authority, although she's still dressed in typically childish clothing. We can see the artist exploring tensions between childhood and adulthood through this image. Examining catalogues from the etching society or the ledgers of art supply shops can teach us more about the networks of artists, patrons, and institutions that made art like this possible.