Kussende kinderen c. 1755 - 1790

Gottlieb Welté’s etching titled ‘Kissing Children’ presents us with an intimate, textured scene rendered in miniature. The composition, though small, is rich with detail, achieved through a dense network of fine lines that create a sense of depth and shadow. Welté uses line to delineate form and texture to build an image of three children standing closely together in a densely wooded area. Welté's technique creates a visual field where boundaries blur, inviting the viewer to interpret the relationships between the figures and their environment. The image destabilizes clear distinctions between foreground and background, challenging the traditional hierarchical arrangements within the picture. The lack of definitive lines prompts a more active engagement from us. Welté invites a consideration of how meaning is constructed. The visual and cultural codes suggest an intentional layering of representation and interpretation.