Kiels Universitets indvielse 1664 - 1668

Jürgen Ovens created this detailed etching of "Kiels Universitets indvielse," or the Inauguration of Kiel University. The composition is structured around a stage-like platform where dignitaries are gathered, observed by onlookers in the foreground. The scene is rich with architectural details, rendered through dense, cross-hatched lines that define forms and create tonal depth. This results in a complex interplay of light and shadow. Ovens uses linear perspective to construct a believable space, guiding the viewer's eye towards the back of the hall. The meticulous attention to detail and the ordered arrangement of figures reflect the formal nature of the academic ceremony. The use of perspective and shadow destabilizes the conventional two-dimensional plane and engages with philosophical ideas about perception. The etching not only documents an event but also serves as a commentary on knowledge, power, and representation.