De lier 1843 - 1898

Editor: This is "De lier", or "The Lyre", an ink drawing on paper by Felicien Rops, dating somewhere between 1843 and 1898. It strikes me as quite unsettling; the figure is seated on skulls. How do you interpret this work purely from its visual elements? Curator: Its power resides in the formal relationships established between the figures and the objects depicted, a clear visual arrangement Rops uses to convey allegorical meaning. The sharp, linear quality of the ink drawing emphasizes a contrast between the idealized form of the figure and the stark representation of mortality below. Notice how the upward thrust of the lyre, reaching toward what appears to be divine light, is grounded by the base of skulls. What does that juxtaposition suggest to you? Editor: Perhaps the triumph of art or beauty over death, or maybe their inseparable connection. But are you saying that without knowing anything about the symbolism Rops employed, the composition itself tells the story? Curator: Precisely. The directional lines, the contrasting textures - the smoothness of the skin versus the rough texture of the skulls – these formal elements structure the work’s visual impact. We could analyze this further using semiotics and the study of signs; but in doing so, the formal relationships dictate any interpretation, right? Editor: Absolutely! Focusing on how the ink rendering creates such a distinct mood changes my understanding entirely. Curator: Indeed. Formalism is concerned with discovering what is "uniquely visual" about the drawing through objective inquiry. It opens an appreciation beyond any preconceived notions about art’s history, to create objective, non-judgmental encounters of its elements. Editor: Thanks, that gives me so much to consider in Rops’ "The Lyre."