Vrouw in Romeins gewaad 1907

This is 'Vrouw in Romeins gewaad' or 'Woman in Roman Robe' by Bernard Willem Wierink. I wonder about the nature of Roman-ness when I look at this print. The symmetry of the composition, the monochrome scheme, and the iconic imagery give the artwork a sense of classical stability and balance. The figure at the bottom is so still and sure, and is complemented by the stern portraits looming above. I sympathize with Wierink’s choice of medium. As a printmaker myself, I understand the satisfaction of carving into wood, of finding the clean lines of a design. The patterns and texture, all those graphic rays, add to the impact of the image. The artist seems to engage with his predecessors from earlier eras. It makes me think about how we all do this – engaging with, responding to, and being inspired by artists across time. Painting's like that. It’s an ongoing conversation with infinite possible meanings and interpretations.