Mozes en de koperen slang 1695 - 1742

François Roëttiers created this etching, "Moses and the Bronze Serpent," sometime in the early 18th century. A whirlwind of figures in turmoil dominate the scene, their suffering rendered through fine, expressive lines. The composition is structured around a central vertical axis, the bronze serpent on a pole, around which the chaotic narrative unfolds. The artist uses line and form to convey a sense of drama and movement. The diagonal lines of the bodies, intertwined with the snakes, create a dynamic tension. There is a clear emphasis on the human form, rendered with classical ideals of anatomy, yet twisted in expressions of pain and desperation. Moses stands as a point of stability amidst the chaos, his gesture offering a sense of hope. Roëttiers's work is not just a religious scene; it's an exploration of human emotion, rendered through the language of line and form. It invites us to reflect on how visual structures can convey complex narratives and evoke profound emotional responses.