Herfst Possibly 1790 - 1799

Francesco Bartolozzi created this stipple engraving titled 'Herfst'. Note the finely textured surface, a result of the stipple technique, which softens the forms and imbues the scene with a gentle atmosphere. The composition is structured around the figure of a woman, elegantly posed beside a vine. Her form is rendered with subtle gradations of tone, achieved through the density of the stippled dots. The arrangement of light and shadow models her figure, emphasizing the delicate folds of her dress and the soft curls of her hair. The vine, with its leaves and grapes, acts as a framing device, leading the eye through the composition. The texture of the foliage contrasts with the smoother surfaces of the woman's skin and clothing, creating a visual interplay between the natural and the human. This is more than just a pretty picture; it's a constructed image using visual elements to convey ideas about beauty, nature, and artifice.