Neptunus met de tritons c. 1636 - 1670

Crispijn van de Passe II created this engraving, Neptunus met de tritons, sometime in the 17th century. The composition strikes us with its dynamic arrangement of figures and forms across a watery expanse, rendered in meticulous detail. Linear patterns define the waves, bodies, and celestial light, creating a rich, almost tactile surface. The engraving presents Neptune, enthroned on a shell, amidst a flurry of Tritons and sea creatures. The directional lines guide our eyes from Neptune, across the horses and Tritons, to the distant, mountainous landscape. This arrangement not only animates the scene but also suggests a narrative unfolding across the pictorial space. Van de Passe's work engages with the semiotic language of his time, using classical motifs to convey ideas about power, dominion, and the natural world. The detailed rendering and structured composition invite us to decode the layers of meaning embedded within the image. Consider how the formal elements contribute to the creation of a symbolic universe, where each line and form serves as a signifier within a larger cultural discourse.