Figuren op oever met stad aan overkant 1613 - 1695

Nicolas Perelle made this etching, "Figures on the Shore with City Across", sometime in the 17th century. The circular composition neatly frames a coastal scene, rendered in fine lines that build texture and depth. The eye is drawn across the water, from the detailed figures on the shore to the distant, luminous city nestled at the base of rugged mountains. Notice how the composition is carefully structured: a rocky crag on the left mirrors the mountains across the water, creating a balanced yet dynamic space. Perelle uses line not just to depict forms, but to evoke atmosphere. The close hatching suggests the weight of the rocks and the airy lightness of the sky. The etching's circular boundary creates a sense of a self-contained world, a microcosm where nature and human activity coexist. This formal decision encourages us to consider how framing and perspective shape our understanding and appreciation of landscape.