Geest van Crugal verschijnt aan Connal c. 1770 - 1775

Alexander Runciman created this etching called "Geest van Crugal verschijnt aan Connal", but the date is unknown. Here we have a classical scene rendered with dramatic chiaroscuro. Notice how the stark contrast between light and shadow models the muscular forms of the figures, enhancing the emotional intensity. The composition is divided into two distinct zones: the solid, grounded figure of Connal and the ethereal, floating spirit of Crugal. Runciman uses line and form to explore themes of the sublime and the supernatural. The spectral figure destabilizes our perception of reality, and the solid form of Connal anchors us to the earthly realm. This interplay reflects broader philosophical concerns of the time, where the rational and irrational were constantly being negotiated. Ultimately, Runciman's print invites us to contemplate the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. The formal tension within the work—between solidity and ethereality—becomes a powerful means of exploring human perception and understanding.