St. Casimir – drawing according to the engraving by Franciszek Wacław Balcewicz of 1749 1856

Józef Simmler created this drawing, "St. Casimir – drawing according to the engraving by Franciszek Wacław Balcewicz of 1749," using graphite. Observe how the delicate lines weave together to form a scene filled with dynamic tension and a sense of classical inspiration. The composition’s structure is a complex arrangement of human figures, each rendered with nuanced detail. Simmler’s drawing brings to mind the theoretical underpinnings of structuralism, where meaning is derived from the relationships within a system. Here, the relationships between the figures suggest a deeper narrative, almost a semiotic game. The lines themselves function as signs. The drawing invites us to consider how Simmler engages with, and perhaps destabilizes, established artistic values through its interplay of form and content. The formal qualities here extend beyond mere aesthetics, engaging with broader cultural and philosophical discourses. This piece serves not just as a visual experience but as an ongoing site of interpretation and re-interpretation.