Horlogekast, medaillon en rand met bloemen c. 1631 - 1736

This engraving on paper, "Horlogekast, medaillon en rand met bloemen," of unknown date, presents us with a series of circular designs, each offering a unique interplay of form and content. The artist’s use of line, evident in the intricate detailing of figures and floral patterns, creates a visual rhythm that guides the eye across the composition. Each medallion presents a scene framed within a circular border, challenging the traditional rectangular format and inviting us to consider the symbolic implications of the circle. In semiotic terms, the floral borders may function as signifiers of nature, time, or beauty, while the figural scenes may represent religious or mythological narratives. The arrangement of these elements within the circular format suggests a cyclical or self-contained structure, inviting contemplation on themes of eternity, repetition, and closure. The engraving’s composition destabilizes conventional notions of artistic space and meaning. It encourages us to interpret the work through the lens of structural relationships.