Two Soldiers Stripping Corpses; verso: Soldier Discovering Corpse (counterproof) c. 1662

Editor: Here we have Salvator Rosa's "Two Soldiers Stripping Corpses," a haunting drawing. The figures are rendered with such raw energy; the composition is unsettling. What strikes you most about its visual structure? Curator: The dynamism inheres in Rosa’s exploitation of line. Observe how he wields hatching and cross-hatching to build form and convey a sense of depth. Does the composition evoke a particular emotional response? Editor: Absolutely, there's a visceral rawness to it. I’m curious about the negative space around the figures. Curator: Precisely. The stark contrast between the densely worked figures and the emptiness surrounding them isolates the central action, intensifying its impact. The interplay of light and shadow accentuates the bodies, contributing to the scene's dramatic tension. What does that mean to you? Editor: I see it heightening the disturbing nature of the scene. I hadn't considered the role of emptiness in amplifying that. Thanks for pointing that out.