Buste van vrouw met opgestoken haar 1612 - 1665

Cornelis van Dalen I created this print, "Bust of a Woman with Updo," in the 17th century using engraving. The dominant visual experience is one of meticulous detail and structured contrast, achieved through fine lines that define the subject against a densely hatched background. This creates a compelling interplay of light and shadow, evoking a sense of depth and texture within a monochrome palette. The formal structure of the engraving invites a semiotic interpretation. The subject's updo hairstyle, precisely rendered, functions as a signifier of status and formality. Van Dalen's technique of cross-hatching is not merely decorative; it's a sophisticated method of constructing form and volume through tonal variation. The lines and precise arrangement of the marks function as a language, communicating not just visual information but also cultural codes of the period. The rigorous structure of lines ultimately serves to articulate an ideal of beauty and order, reflecting broader artistic and philosophical concerns of the time.