Hemelvaart van Maria 1646

Simon Guillain II created this monochrome etching, “Hemelvaart van Maria”, around 1640. The composition is immediately striking; it's organized within a circle, creating a contained, celestial space. This geometric choice gives a sense of harmony and order to the divine event depicted. Lines are delicately etched to form the figure of Mary who is at the heart of the composition, shown rising to heaven, surrounded by cherubic figures. There is a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, achieved through fine hatching and cross-hatching, which animates the scene, giving volume to the forms and enhancing the ethereal quality. The circular boundary functions almost as a window into another realm, while simultaneously framing the image and drawing attention to its internal structure. The semiotic implications of ascension are made clear through the implied upward movement and the gazes of the angels, reinforcing the spiritual narrative. It encapsulates an understanding of how visual elements converge to articulate profound themes.