Lot Invites Two Angels to Enter His Home 1723

This delicate etching of "Lot Invites Two Angels to Enter His Home" was created by Paul Ponce Antoine Robert-de-Seri in the early 18th century. Observe how the linear patterns, constructed from dense and varied cross-hatching, structure the entire composition. This technique produces a visual effect where light and shadow define the characters and setting. The artist uses diagonal lines in the sky to suggest movement. The solid vertical lines that form the door behind the figures provide a stark contrast, adding depth and highlighting the divine figures. Robert-de-Seri’s formal choices are not merely decorative. The meticulous rendering of the scene through line and form reflects the period's engagement with clarity, structure, and the communication of moral narratives. The controlled yet expressive use of line invites viewers to contemplate the balance between the earthly and the divine, challenging fixed notions of space and representation.