An Old Man (Saint Paul) 1592

Editor: This is "An Old Man (Saint Paul)", an engraving made in 1592. I am drawn to the texture and line work; it almost vibrates on the page. What stands out to you in terms of its form and structure? Curator: The composition immediately grabs attention with its elongated verticality and the way the figure almost completely fills the pictorial space. The dynamism of line is quite striking as well; the artist exploits the inherent characteristics of engraving to suggest the fall of light across the figure and drapery. Have you observed how the interplay of hatching and cross-hatching contributes to a sense of three-dimensionality despite the inherent flatness of the print medium? Editor: I noticed the way the robes drape. Are there ways to read how the lines describe not just the form of the drapery but the form of the figure beneath? Curator: Precisely! Consider how the artist uses the density and direction of the engraved lines to model the underlying anatomy. Look at the treatment of the face, for instance. The concentrated, fine lines around the eyes and mouth suggest the wrinkled texture of aged skin, while broader, more widely spaced lines describe the smoother surfaces of the cheeks and forehead. We may see in this a dialectic interplay between the ideal and real form of St. Paul, achieved only by this tension in line work. Do you see anything that you find particularly interesting? Editor: The book he’s holding seems to be the visual anchor. Without it, I think the composition might fall apart. Curator: That is indeed an astute observation. The book serves as a stabilizing element, anchoring the composition both visually and thematically, guiding the viewer’s eye and underlining the importance of scripture within the portrayed narrative. Note also that this is done through purely formal decisions of composition and light! Editor: It's amazing how much information is conveyed through what could seem like a limited medium. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. By focusing on these intrinsic visual relationships we have extracted so much insight and appreciation, a truly profitable endeavour.