A Faun Carrying the Young Bacchus c. 17th century

Editor: This is Cornelis Cort's engraving, *A Faun Carrying the Young Bacchus*. The textures created by the lines are incredible. What strikes you first about the composition? Curator: Note how Cort masterfully uses hatching and cross-hatching to define form and create tonal gradations. The robust musculature of the faun and the softness of Bacchus's skin are rendered through the density and direction of these lines. Editor: So it's the artist's technique that brings out the narrative's energy? Curator: Precisely. The linear network itself is the source of expressive power. Consider how the varying line weights create a sense of depth and volume, guiding the viewer's eye through the scene. What did you take away from this analysis? Editor: I’m beginning to see how the form shapes the way we interpret the subject. Thanks!