Blad met vijf scènes uit Vondels Gijsbrecht van Amstel 1775

Simon Fokke created this print, *Sheet with five scenes from Vondel's Gijsbrecht van Amstel*, using etching and burin. The composition divides into five circular scenes, each a window into a different act. The lines are delicately etched, creating a contrast between light and shadow that sculpts the figures and architecture. Each scene presents a tableau, almost theatrical, engaging us through the careful arrangement of figures and the subtle play of perspective. Consider how Fokke used circular frames. This design choice serves not only to isolate each scene but also to suggest a cyclical nature to the unfolding drama, each act feeding into the next in an unending loop of fate and consequence. Semiotically, these circles might represent the constraints within which the characters operate, bound by duty and destiny. Fokke invites us to interpret the narrative not as a linear progression but as a constellation of moments. This formal quality encourages a deeper reflection on the themes of the play.