Twee mannen 1783

John B. Skippe created this print titled "Two Men" using chiaroscuro woodcut, a technique which employs tonal contrasts between light and dark to model three-dimensional forms. At first glance, the monochromatic palette of soft browns and creams creates a subdued, almost dreamlike atmosphere. However, the figures are rendered with a sculptural solidity due to the layering of tones. This technique lends a tangible weight to their forms. One man carries another on his back, his body angled as if balancing a load. Skippe's formal choices serve to destabilize the traditional hierarchies often found in history painting. The classical undertones are subtly disrupted by the more intimate portrayal of human interaction and the quiet emotional tone, inviting us to consider the social dynamics inherent in acts of care and burden. The artist uses formal elements to suggest a re-evaluation of traditional values and representations.