Jakobus de Meerdere op een troon 1717

This engraving, "Jacobus de Meerdere op een troon" was made by Gaspard Duchange. Note how the image establishes a rigid sense of verticality and symmetry. This is immediately apparent in the throne’s structure, mirrored by curtains which create a frame around the central figure. The composition organizes itself through a series of contrasts: the solid, geometric shapes of the throne versus the flowing drapery; the linear precision of the engraving against the softness of the cherubic figures. The figure of Jacobus is rendered with a combination of fine lines and more densely worked areas, giving a sculptural quality to the figure. This contrast between form and fluidity, rigidity and softness, can be understood within the context of Baroque aesthetics. The period often sought to reconcile classical ideals of order with a dynamic sense of movement and emotion, reflecting broader philosophical inquiries into the nature of perception and representation. Duchange’s engraving uses formal means to explore these tensions.