Leda en de zwaan 1702 - 1767

Jacob Folkema created this engraving, “Leda and the Swan,” in the eighteenth century. The oval composition is neatly divided into foreground and background, with a cascade of water in between. The swan, a central figure, is brilliantly captured, its form achieved through precise, thin lines that render its textures vividly. Leda’s body is formed of graceful curves. A cupid figure hovers in the background, whose gaze directs our own. The landscape behind features meticulous hatch marks that give texture to the mountains, trees and architectural details. The image is underpinned by a play of light and shadow, creating a semiotic interplay. The thin lines build a classical scene, encapsulating themes of mythology and transformation. The swan and cupid are signs within a story – of desire and divine intervention, with implications that extend beyond the aesthetic surface. The beauty of Folkema’s engraving lies in its detailed lines and form, which function as aesthetic elements and cultural carriers.