Twee zingende jongens 1625 - 1628

This engraving, "Two Singing Boys," was created by Cornelis Bloemaert around 1625. The composition centers on two boys closely grouped. Notice how the artist uses line and texture to create depth and interest in an otherwise limited palette. The dense, cross-hatched background contrasts sharply with the smoother treatment of the figures, drawing our eye to their forms. The composition's success is evident in how the artist uses the interplay between light and shadow to define the contours of the boys' faces and clothing. Consider, too, the direction of the lines. Bloemaert uses their direction and density to model forms and to emphasize the volume of the figures. The gaze of the boy in the front directs the viewers eyes to the paper. It's through these formal elements that the artwork achieves its effects, inviting us to interpret the relationship between the figures and their shared moment of song.