Haggai 1613

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving of Haggai in the late 16th or early 17th century. Immediately, the tight oval frame draws our attention to the figure of Haggai, whose melancholic, downward gaze and partially obscured body create a sense of introspection. The intricate details of the engraving, achieved through Galle’s expert use of line, invite a deeper consideration. Notice the contrast between the smooth, flowing lines that define Haggai’s face and hair, and the dense, cross-hatched lines that give depth to his garments. This contrast enhances the emotional weight of the image and reinforces the symbolic significance of Haggai's prophetic role. The inscriptions encircling the image are integral to its structure, functioning almost as a frame within a frame. The semiotic function is clear; it identifies and contextualizes Haggai, prompting us to consider the relationship between text and image and how they work together to convey meaning. The number 18 in the bottom right corner is an additional, more cryptic, structural element that remains open to our interpretation.