Jongen met vogelkooi c. 1625

Cornelis Bloemaert created this small engraving titled "Boy with Birdcage," a study in tone and texture, sometime in the 17th century. The composition is dominated by the cone shape of the cage and the large brim of the boy’s hat. The diagonal lines of the cage's structure are in sharp contrast to the soft curves of the boy’s face and clothing. The boy’s hands, rendered with careful attention to detail, firmly grasp the cage, suggesting themes of control and confinement. Bloemaert has used the contrast of light and shadow to create depth, particularly in the boy’s face, where the shadows cast by the hat add to the sense of volume and form. The parallel lines create gradations in tone. The image functions as a semiotic system. The cage and bird, the young boy, and the tonal gradations created by the artist function as symbols within the image. They create an understanding of space, power, and representation.