The Prophet Jeremiah, from Prophets and Sibyls 1480 - 1490

Here we see Francesco Rosselli's engraving of "The Prophet Jeremiah," part of his "Prophets and Sibyls" series. The composition is striking: Jeremiah is centrally placed, seated on what appears to be a rocky outcrop, framed by a banner overhead. The stark lines of the engraving emphasize the texture of his beard and robes, creating a palpable sense of depth within the limited tonal range. Rosselli’s mastery lies in his understanding of form and structure. The folds of Jeremiah’s clothing, the way the banner curls, and the positioning of the text, all contribute to a sense of contained but dynamic energy. This work destabilizes the conventional representations of prophets by focusing on the human element through detailed rendering and the inclusion of text that challenges fixed meanings. Ultimately, it's the interplay of line and form that makes this engraving so compelling, drawing us into a dialogue with the past while prompting ongoing questions about faith, representation, and interpretation.