Allerley (2 plaet) / Différens sujets (2 planche) 1833 - 1856

This is an engraved plate titled 'Allerley (2 plaet) / Différens sujets (2 planche)' by Glenisson & Van Genechten. At first glance, the work appears as an ordered collection of figures and scenes. Each is neatly arranged on a grid. The limited palette, mostly greens, reds and yellows, functions to unify the diverse subjects, and draws attention to the structure and organization of the work. Through a semiotic lens, each figure or scene functions as a sign, pointing to a broader narrative or social context. The arrangement then becomes significant. The collection might challenge fixed meanings and encourage a playful engagement with representation. The act of collecting and arranging these scenes reflects a structuralist approach to understanding the world, by breaking down reality into its constituent parts. The grid-like composition emphasizes a desire for order and categorization, a common thread in early representational art.