Romeinen liggend aan de maaltijd 1751 - 1816

Editor: This is "Romeinen liggend aan de maaltijd" or "Romans Reclining at Meals" by Reinier Vinkeles, dating from sometime between 1751 and 1816. It's an engraving at the Rijksmuseum. The scene seems pretty domestic, yet feels a little grand somehow. What's your take on the formal composition of this print? Curator: Formally, the work is a study in contrasting textures and spatial organization. The artist juxtaposes the smooth, curvilinear forms of the reclining figures with the sharp, angular lines of the architecture and furniture. Consider the play of light and shadow: note how Vinkeles uses hatching and cross-hatching to define form and create depth. Observe the central figure, who stands, seemingly in action. Does their inclusion and position add something, or detract? Editor: That's interesting, I didn’t immediately focus on that standing figure, my eye went right to the people eating. I also noticed the symmetry of the scene. What is that about? Curator: Precisely. This rigid symmetry reinforces a sense of order and balance characteristic of Neoclassical art. The figures are arranged in a carefully constructed tableau, their gestures and expressions controlled and deliberate. Consider how the composition directs our gaze, guiding us through the scene in a deliberate and structured manner. It adheres quite rigorously to the prevailing aesthetics of the time. Editor: So it is less about representing an event, and more about the aesthetic? That's helpful, thank you. Curator: Indeed. Looking closely at Vinkeles' print refines one's eye and allows appreciation of the conscious choices driving an artwork's construction. This appreciation in turn enriches and deepens our perception.