Een tekenaar bij het beeld van de Tiber (Marforio) 16th century

This is an engraving of "A Draftsman by the Statue of the Tiber (Marforio)", made by an anonymous artist. The composition is bisected by the decaying wall behind the statue, creating a dialogue between near and far. Observe how the muscular form of the reclining statue dominates the foreground, its broken limbs and weathered surface rendered with meticulous detail. The engraver uses linear perspective to draw us into the scene, with the draftsman as a witness to the ruins. The figure is carefully observing the statue, suggesting a deep engagement with the classical past. Consider how the engraver uses light and shadow to model form and create depth, a technique that invites us to contemplate the passage of time and the impermanence of human achievements. This engraving serves not just as a record, but as a meditation on art, history, and the act of seeing.