Nachtelijk vertrek bij een herberg 1603 - 1650

Matthäus Merian created this small etching, "Night Departure from an Inn," capturing a scene cast in stark contrasts of light and shadow. The composition is divided into two distinct zones: the illuminated foreground, where figures gather around a torch, and the darkened background, where trees meet the sky. Notice how Merian uses line and shading to create depth, drawing our eye into the hazy distance. The reflections on the water's surface destabilize the boundary between land and sky, creating a sense of ambiguity. The structural arrangement suggests a world on the cusp between clarity and obscurity, embodying the transitional nature of the nocturnal setting. It reflects a semiotic play between what is revealed and what remains hidden, challenging fixed perceptions. The torch acts not only as a source of light but also as a signifier of knowledge, offering an invitation to delve deeper into the unknown. The formal qualities of light and shadow become metaphors, engaging us in a discourse about the shifting boundaries of perception and understanding.