Netdroogster 1555 - 1631

This small, circular print, “Netdroogster,” presents a scene rendered with meticulous lines, likely dating from the 17th century. The composition centres on a woman seated indoors, attended by a man, with their figures framed by a curving inscription that mirrors the print's circular edge. The use of light and shadow, achieved through dense hatching, creates a textured surface. The engraving employs a semiotic system of signs where domestic elements – a table, a curtain, and a small animal – function as cultural codes. The inscription encircling the image acts as a linguistic frame, inviting the viewer to decode the relationship between text and image. The artist challenges the viewer to interpret the power dynamics at play, destabilizing fixed meanings through composition and form. The work creates a space for ongoing interpretation by engaging with broader philosophical concerns about the nature of seeing and knowing.