Justice (Die Gerechtikait), from The Seven Virtues 1498 - 1531

Editor: This is Hans Burgkmair's "Justice (Die Gerechtikait), from The Seven Virtues," created sometime between 1498 and 1531. It's an ink and woodcut print. The figure, with her strong, clear outlines, looks really stern. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The commanding linearity dictates our perception. Note how the circularity of the inscription is echoed in the globe that she holds. The details create an intricate network of formal relationships. The rendering of the fabric is compelling and masterfully rendered using hatching. Editor: Hatching? Curator: Yes, notice the parallel lines used to create a sense of shadow and depth on the figure’s clothing and armor. This technique emphasizes the flatness of the picture plane. And see how the sword and scales create opposing diagonal lines, providing a visual counterpoint within the composition. Editor: So, the tension between flatness and depth and those dynamic lines contribute to the overall impact? Curator: Precisely. The work presents us with a compelling series of formal tensions: flatness and depth, curve and line, stillness and movement. It provokes meditation. What new visual details can you find upon closer examination? Editor: I hadn't noticed the small skulls on her knees! This print is much more complex than I initially thought, thanks to how the different shapes and lines play off of each other. Curator: Indeed. By focusing on the formal structure, we access deeper understandings and meanings embedded within.