Vliegende engel in een landschap 1703

Gilliam van der Gouwen created this line engraving, “Flying Angel in a Landscape,” sometime before 1740. A winged angel hovers above a detailed landscape; the composition unfolds in a sophisticated arrangement of forms. The angel, bathed in light, is rendered with flowing lines, suggesting movement and grace. The landscape below, with its meticulously etched buildings, ships, and natural formations, provides a grounding contrast. The angel bears a scroll, furthering the thematic interplay between the celestial and terrestrial realms. Observe how the artist used line and form to convey a sense of depth and perspective. The composition, although seemingly straightforward, is a complex interplay of symmetry and asymmetry. The tension between the static landscape and the dynamic angel creates a visual harmony that invites contemplation.