The Letter (Reflexion, ou la lettre)

About this work

This sketch shows a woman in a loose dress, sitting sideways with one leg tucked under her. She holds a letter opener in her right hand, poised over a stack of papers. Her hair is pulled up in a messy bun, and she’s looking off to the side with a slight smile. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to capture movement—especially in her dress and hair—while keeping her face more defined. This mix of rough and smooth fits the style of the time. Next, look up technique: drypoint to see how this printmaking method works.