Ganz Neu Inventiertes Laub und Bandelwerck zu finden bey Albrecht Schimdt 1726

Editor: Here we have Johann Jakob Baumgartner’s "Ganz Neu Inventiertes Laub und Bandelwerck zu finden bey Albrecht Schimdt," an engraving from 1726. It has an intricate, almost dizzying effect. All those flourishes! What visual relationships do you see operating here? Curator: The formal dynamics of the composition are paramount. Observe how Baumgartner orchestrates a complex interplay of line, form, and space. The composition emphasizes the visual vocabulary, from floral and vegetal motifs to geometric and architectural elements. It becomes a conversation between these forms, all held in dynamic tension through Baroque sensibility. Editor: Tension, certainly. What effect does that tension create? Curator: It is not about narrative representation but purely optical experience, that harmonious chaos is a key tenant of the Baroque sensibility. What semiotic potential can be mined from the symbolic density achieved? Editor: Well, in heraldry the eagle has a lot of implications – imperial authority, courage… but are you saying that the eagle isn't functioning as a symbol? Curator: Consider its placement and relation to the overall design; ask if the eagle itself really signifies imperial authority, or whether it is visual punctuation, contributing to the intricate balance. It is through the lines, the distribution of positive and negative space, and the inherent tension, that meaning is primarily constructed, rather than relying on external narratives or symbolic interpretations. Editor: So, even a figure like the eagle ultimately serves a formal purpose within this system of lines and shapes? I’ll definitely consider it that way. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Focusing on how these formal relationships generate a dynamic visual experience provides insight into this work’s intrinsic value and illuminates the artistic principles at play.