Morning (Le Matin) 1695 - 1705

Claude Simpol created "Morning" in the late 17th or early 18th century. The delicate lines of this engraving depict an intimate scene, bustling with the quiet activities of a waking household. The composition is structured around a central play of light and shadow, directing our gaze from left to right. Notice how Simpol uses line to create a sense of depth, particularly in the rendering of the room’s interior. The texture, achieved through fine hatching, gives a palpable sense of the scene's materiality, from the rough-hewn walls to the soft fabrics. The arrangement of figures is also a study in contrasts. On the left, a group seems engrossed in quiet conversation, while on the right, a mother attends to her child. This division introduces a semiotic dichotomy between public and private, work and care, highlighting the diverse roles within the domestic sphere. Simpol presents not just a scene, but a microcosm of societal structure. Consider, then, how the formal elements within "Morning" function as more than mere aesthetics; they engage with deeper cultural codes, inviting us to decode the complex language of everyday life in early modern Europe.