Doopceremonies; Berg van Abessinië 1682 - 1733

Editor: At first glance, the print evokes a sense of dense, almost overwhelming activity. What's the narrative thread binding these bustling scenes together? Curator: This engraving by Romeyn de Hooghe, dating between 1682 and 1733, bears the title "Doopceremonies; Berg van Abessinië," now held in the Rijksmuseum. It presents two distinct, yet related, tableaus depicting, ostensibly, baptismal ceremonies in the Kingdom of Abyssinia or Ethiopia. Editor: The linear quality of the engraved lines—they really guide the eye. And the contrast between light and shadow emphasizes certain actions. I wonder what kind of ink the artist used to render this tonal range? Curator: Notice how de Hooghe uses a fine line to construct intricate compositions. The linear networks and their intersections produce light and shadow effects and an almost baroque-style dramatic effect. Each mark results from deliberate manual work – a point that invites us to consider the means and relations of production inherent to printmaking during this historical period. Editor: I see a very intricate scene on the left with what appears to be a Christian baptism occurring indoors, contrasting with a very regimented, outdoor scene on the right. Is it a depiction of royal or noble baptisms? Curator: Indeed. Structurally, the print functions on several visual registers simultaneously, from a landscape view to the interior spaces which suggest an architecture to an overarching historical theme. Semiotics helps us identify these signifiers. One could spend a long time just mapping the distribution of meaning on the print's surface alone. Editor: These scenes almost seem to represent the conversion of an entire community or an entire empire and therefore suggests a certain exercise of control. How interesting it is to imagine the labor involved in producing numerous copies of these scenes. Curator: Ultimately, the artist masterfully uses a limited set of materials, namely, the plate, the ink, the engraving tools, to create a work brimming with texture and symbolism, both aesthetically refined and historically suggestive. Editor: This exploration underscores the inherent labor in early printmaking and reveals the layers of representation. Thank you for helping me observe the art so diligently and mindfully.