Portret van een jonge vrouw

About this artwork

Purchased with the support of the F.G. Waller-Fonds

Art Historical Context

**Portret van een jonge vrouw (Portrait of a Young Woman is a delicate work by Louis Marin Bonnet a prominent French artist active in the late 18th. Created between 1774 and1793, this intimate portrait measures just 255 mm high by 203 mm wide, inviting viewers to lean in and appreciate its subtle nuances. Bonnet, known for his mastery of reproductive printmaking, captures the sitter's poised elegance in a style reflective of the Rococo's graceful refinement transitioning toward Neoclassicism. The standout feature is its "crayon method," or *crayon manner*—an innovative etching technique Bonnet helped popularize. Using soft-ground etching with textured paper, it mimics the soft, velvety strokes of pastel crayons, bridging painting and printmaking. This allowed wider dissemination of portrait likenesses, making high art accessible beyond the elite during the Enlightenment era, when personal commemoration flourished amid social change. Acquired with support from the F.G. Waller-Fonds, this piece underscores enduring appreciation for Bonnet's technical brilliance. It offers a window into 18th-century portraiture's charm, where a young woman's gaze speaks volumes about poise and individuality.

About the Artist

Louis Marin Bonnet · 1736–1793

Comment on works: Copper engraver