Nimf met een hond 1581 - 1631

This is Jacob Matham's "Nymph with a Dog", an engraving of modest dimensions. It presents an idyllic scene with a nude nymph reclining on draped fabric, next to a vigilant dog. The composition is structured by contrasting textures and forms. Notice the juxtaposition of the nymph's smooth skin against the detailed, almost chaotic lines of the surrounding foliage. This tension creates a visual dialogue between the idealized human form and the wildness of nature. Also, consider the contrasting use of light and shadow, achieved through fine, intricate lines that define form and space, directing our gaze across the image. Matham uses the print medium to explore gradations of tone and texture. The linear structure of the engraving, typical of the period, serves not just to depict but also to interpret the subject. It invites us to consider how the artist mediates between classical ideals and the raw, natural world. The print, therefore, becomes a site where conventions are both observed and subtly questioned.