A quiet, atmospheric etching by Georges Lemmen depicting a woman absorbed in a book, rendered with delicate line work and a decorative floral background.

This etching by the Belgian artist Georges Lemmen captures a quiet, domestic moment. A woman sits in an upholstered chair, her attention fully occupied by the book held in her hands. Lemmen, a member of the group Les XX, was known for his association with Neo-Impressionism, though his graphic work often displays a more personal, linear quality than his pointillist paintings. The composition relies on a dense network of marks to define both the figure and the surrounding environment. The background features a repetitive floral pattern, which creates a flattened, decorative effect typical of the late nineteenth-century interest in Japanese woodblock prints and textile design. The chair itself is rendered with soft, rounded contours, providing a sense of comfort and seclusion. Lemmen uses a variety of line weights to distinguish textures. The woman's clothing and the fabric of the chair are suggested through short, rhythmic strokes, while the floral wallpaper is composed of lighter, more delicate outlines. The monochromatic nature of the etching emphasises the play of light and shadow across the scene, focusing the viewer on the stillness of the subject. This work reflects the artist's interest in the private lives of his contemporaries, a common theme in his graphic output. The lack of a defined horizon or deep perspective keeps the focus on the immediate surroundings, creating an intimate atmosphere. The print demonstrates Lemmen's technical proficiency with the etching needle, allowing him to build up tone and pattern without the need for colour.