Blad met uiteenlopende encyclopedische voorstellingen 1784

Johann David Schleuen created this print, 'Sheet with Various Encyclopedic Representations', in the 18th century. Immediately, the rigid structure of the composition strikes the eye. A grid-like arrangement divides the sheet into compartments, each housing a distinct scene or object, like specimens in a cabinet of curiosities. The engraving method lends itself to a stark contrast of light and shadow, which delineates each vignette with precision, and invites us to examine the diversity of scenes. The layout suggests a systematic, almost scientific approach to organizing and presenting knowledge. Yet, this formal structure seems to play with ideas of classification and order. Schleuen challenges the viewer to make sense of the connections between these disparate images, questioning the very nature of encyclopedic knowledge. This visual catalogue suggests an attempt to capture the world, but also hints at the impossibility of containing its complexity. The organization of the print thus highlights how we impose structure upon the world, shaping our understanding of it through arrangement and categorization.