Solomon Sentences Adonijah to Death c. 1574

Editor: Here we have Hans Collaert the Elder's "Solomon Sentences Adonijah to Death." The composition really strikes me. What do you see in the engraving? Curator: The artist's employment of line is masterful. Consider the cross-hatching used to define form and shadow, creating a remarkable depth within the confines of the plate. Do you notice how the artist uses line to convey the tension in the scene? Editor: Yes, the sharp lines around the soldiers really heighten the sense of conflict. What does that imply about the artist's intention? Curator: The artist's intention is to show the complex relationship between power, justice, and betrayal. Editor: I see it now! Thanks for pointing out the way the visual elements create that tension. Curator: A close look at the formal elements reveals the artist's strategies and intentions.