Profiel van een vrouw, naar links - Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita

A 1921 etching by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, 'Profiel van een vrouw, naar links' depicts a woman in profile using fine lines and geometric forms. This work showcases the artist's distinctive approach to portraiture and graphic arts.

This etching by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, titled 'Profiel van een vrouw, naar links' (Profile of a Woman, Facing Left), dates to 1921. De Mesquita, a Dutch artist of Sephardic Jewish descent, is known for his graphic work, particularly his woodcuts, etchings, and lithographs. His style often incorporates elements of symbolism and a distinctive approach to portraiture. He taught graphic arts in Amsterdam, and his students included M.C. Escher. Tragically, de Mesquita and his family were murdered in Auschwitz in 1944. His work experienced a resurgence in interest after the war, largely due to Escher's efforts to preserve and promote his teacher's art. The print depicts a woman in profile, facing left, rendered in a network of fine lines. The composition is structured with geometric forms in the background, contrasting with the organic shape of the figure. The woman's dress is indicated by a pattern of lines and dots, while the background features a grid-like structure. The artist's signature and the date '1921' are visible in the lower left corner. The overall effect is one of understated elegance, achieved through the artist's mastery of the etching technique.