Griffier met een steek en een brief in zijn handen 1783 - 1784

Robert Brichet created this print, "Griffier met een steek en een brief in zijn handen," around the turn of the 19th century. Notice how the figure is rendered with a network of fine lines, creating both form and texture. The subject leans into the letter, his figure foreshortened, drawing our eye to the document in his hands. Consider the composition: the figure, contained within a strict rectangle, is placed asymmetrically, with negative space heightening the sense of the figure's concentration. This asymmetry undermines any classical sense of balance. The cross-hatching defines the contours of his coat and creates shadows, suggesting depth and volume. Brichet uses line and form not just to depict but to subtly comment on the figure's character and place within society. The print encapsulates a moment of contemplation, carefully constructed through line and form.