Allegorie van de nacht 1788

Christian Bernhard Rode created this etching, Allegory of the Night, likely in the late 18th century. The delicate hatching that models the forms results in a network of lines and gives the impression of a nocturnal scene, softened by shadow. The composition centres on a female figure reclining on an urn, sheltered by a large, circular form, perhaps a parasol or a wing, which curves protectively above her. Below, a small bird, perhaps an owl, emerges from a cloud, adding to the symbolic vocabulary of the image. The lines are not simply descriptive; they actively construct a mood. The hatching suggests depth and shadow but also a sense of ephemerality, fitting for an allegory of night. This approach to line and form is typical of the period, where allegory and symbolism were often conveyed through classical motifs rendered with a light, expressive touch. This etching invites us to consider how the formal elements of line and composition work together to create a symbolic and atmospheric representation of night.