Lijmstokloopster 1575 - 1600

This is an engraving called 'Lijmstokloopster' by Heinrich Wirich, dating from the late 16th century, made using an engraving technique. The dominant visual experience is defined by the complex interplay of lines which create texture and form. Wirich uses a predominantly monochrome palette, focusing attention on the structure of the composition. The woman's elaborate dress and ruffled collar contrasts with the sharp lines of the fly-catching stick. The artist challenges conventional representation through the juxtaposition of elements that don't quite align with naturalistic perspectives. There's a flattening of space, a deliberate disruption of traditional Renaissance perspective. Wirich seems to be exploring the power of signs and symbols. Each element – the woman, the stick, the flies – might carry layers of meaning. Note how the artist manipulates line and form to create a complex visual field, inviting us to question the stability of meaning itself. Wirich's work serves as a reminder that art is not simply about representation, but about engaging with broader philosophical questions about language, perception, and the very nature of reality.