Lucht 1613 - 1720

This is "Lucht," an engraving by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, dating back to the 17th century. Notice how the artist uses stark contrasts of light and shadow to define the contours of the figure and the objects he holds. The composition is dominated by the centrally placed figure of a young boy, whose gaze meets ours directly. The dark hat, a band across his chest, forms a strong horizontal, anchoring the composition, while the soft lines of his hair and the fur of the animal in his arms create a dynamic interplay of textures. Consider the semiotic structure at play. The boy holds a bird, a symbol of freedom, yet its placement hints at captivity. This juxtaposition prompts us to question fixed meanings, inviting us to see beyond the surface and engage with deeper cultural codes around freedom, innocence, and the human relationship with nature. It is in this visual language that the work generates meaning.