Telemachus knielt voor Mentor 1715

Jacob Folkema created this print, "Telemachus Kneeling Before Mentor," using engraving techniques. The composition is strikingly organised with a strict horizontal baseline and a symmetrical arrangement of figures and classical architecture. Folkema uses precise, parallel lines to model forms, creating a sense of depth and texture through varying densities of hatching. The act of kneeling—a posture of supplication—is central here. It suggests a hierarchy, with Mentor in a dominant position. This transaction is further reinforced by the architectural backdrop, which conveys a sense of historical and intellectual heritage. The detailed linework, particularly in the clothing and landscape, evokes a sense of order and clarity, aligning with the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and structure. Folkema's print invites viewers to reflect on themes of mentorship, power, and the transmission of knowledge within a classical framework, as well as the cultural codes used to convey these meanings.