Alfred Stevens

Art Historical Context

In the Prints and Drawings department of the Art Institute of Chicago, Edgarahine's *Alfred Stevens* (1900) captures a poignant portrait of the renowned Belgian painter Alfred Stevens, known for his elegant depictions of fashionable Parisian women. Created at the turn of the century, drypoint reflects the vibrant Belle Époque art scene in, where Chahine, an Armenian-born artist based in the French capital, immortalized fellow creators through intimate printmaking. Stevens, who died in 1906, was a celebrated figure, and Chahine's tribute highlights the camaraderie among artists during this era of innovation and social change. The work's medium—drypoint on ivory wove paper—showcases Chahine's mastery of intaglio techniques. Unlike etching, drypoint involves scratching directly into a copper plate with a sharp needle, raising a soft burr that produces rich, velvety lines and tonal depth upon printing. This method allows for expressive, painterly effects, evident in the subtle textures and nuanced shading here (image: 14.3 × 21.4 cm). Limited by the plate's few impressions before the burr wears down, drypoints like this were prized for their rarity and artistry, bridging painting and printmaking in late 19th-century Europe. A gem for print enthusiasts, *Alfred Stevens* invites visitors to appreciate how Chahine blended portraiture with technical finesse, offering a window into the interconnected world of fin-de-siècle artists.