Martelaren van de Orde van Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci (deel rechtsonder) 1624 - 1636

Curator: The work before us, housed here at the Rijksmuseum, is titled "Martelaren van de Orde van Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci (deel rechtsonder)" a print rendered between 1624 and 1636 by Claude Mellan. Editor: Immediately striking. A grid of solemn figures, many skeletal... the stark contrast achieved with etching truly highlights the somber mood. Curator: Indeed. Mellan's focus on martyrs from the Order of Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci situates it within a particular historical context – the Order’s dedication to ransoming Christian captives. It’s as much a statement of faith as it is about specific historical figures. Editor: Looking at the faces closely— the texture in each is exquisite, an exploration of light and shadow achieved with fine line work to create striking form and depth. The varying head coverings provide contrasting lines which is incredibly successful at drawing your eye through each panel. Curator: And consider the socio-political backdrop. This was the era of the Counter-Reformation. The work functions as visual propaganda. A tool utilized to shore up religious solidarity amidst conflict by invoking memory and commitment to faith. Editor: While that may be true, this feels equally rooted in purely visual structure. It’s very interesting. Note the uniformity across each head, for example, is not quite a profile yet not directly facing. This technique lends each individual form more dynamism in spite of its stoic qualities. Curator: A powerful reading. What I see is a conscious deployment of visual rhetoric, a method for enshrining historical and ideological importance, the artist creating not only art, but historical visual record. Editor: To see past purely representational characteristics, to me it functions formally through contrasting textures— skin and fabric juxtaposed perfectly creating subtle dramatic depth. Mellan’s focus and achievement of stark emotional impact through the masterful use of visual form in etching really impresses here. Curator: Regardless, its success lies in this etching serving both purposes– as a remarkable composition and as a visual statement.