Vrouw in Romeinse klederdracht 1562

This is François Desprez’s “Vrouw in Romeinse klederdracht”, made with engraving sometime between 1500 and 1600. Notice how the vertical orientation of the image is sharply contrasted by the figure’s horizontal gaze, creating a compositional tension. The woman is adorned in classical drapery, yet this historical reference is contained within a decorative border, which serves to frame and mediate our understanding of the figure and its context. The use of line is particularly striking. Desprez employs dense, parallel lines to create shadow and volume, while also using finer lines to articulate details in the woman’s clothing. This technique invites us to consider the relationship between surface and depth, representation and reality. The text below the figure, along with the title, adds another layer of interpretation. The print engages with early modern interests in antiquity. Desprez uses the formal qualities of line and composition to explore themes of historical identity, representation, and the interpretation of cultural forms.