Verzoeking van Job 1645 - 1646

Editor: We’re looking at “The Trials of Job,” an engraving made with ink, dating back to 1645 or 1646, by Christoffel van Sichem the second, hanging in the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as incredibly dramatic, even theatrical, with its stark contrasts. How would you approach understanding it? Curator: Focusing on formal qualities, observe how the artist orchestrates line and form to convey this drama. Note the dynamism inherent in the lines depicting the flames, in sharp contrast to the static lines used to delineate the architecture. This tension is critical. Editor: The starkness is very apparent, and Job looks miserable! The others seem unmoved, or perhaps they're bearers of ill-tidings, with what they carry, or wear on their heads, while the fire rages above and behind... Curator: Consider how the composition directs your eye. The lines converge on Job, isolated and afflicted, emphasizing his vulnerability. Look, also, at how Sichem manipulates texture through hatching and cross-hatching. These patterns build depth. Do they evoke an emotional response? Editor: Absolutely, that sense of depth intensifies the chaos and suffering around Job. But is there perhaps some structural parallel between Job and the building; for me both evoke strength and a battle against the elements, and yet I read of more depth of meaning in the human dimension. Curator: An interesting reading! However, your mention of building as an echo of strength prompts me to highlight their evident disparity in construction. How is your perception changed when the structural parallel is observed, or perhaps better described, as tension and dichotomy? Editor: Hmm...good question. I’d never noticed such an intense dynamic there before! Curator: Precise observations yield unexpected discoveries! Ultimately, exploring the formal elements illuminates not only the technical skill but the thematic concerns embedded within. Editor: It's remarkable how much more you can see when you really break down the lines and shapes. Thank you!