Et harem? 1647

Editor: We’re looking at “Et harem?” an engraving from 1647. It's located at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. It's amazing how much detail the artist was able to get into this print! What jumps out at me is the sheer architectural complexity. How would you interpret this work, looking at its formal qualities? Curator: The power of this engraving lies primarily in its masterful handling of perspective. Note how the lines converge, guiding the viewer's eye deep into the architectural space. The repeated verticality of the columns and the arching forms create a complex rhythm. The light and shadow, rendered through meticulous cross-hatching, articulate the volumes and delineate the spatial recession. Observe how these devices give structure and depth to the represented space. Editor: So the interplay of light, shadow, and perspective create a sense of depth and order? Curator: Precisely. It’s less about any anecdotal narrative and more about the organization of space and form. Even the figures function primarily as scale markers within this intricate construction. Can you discern other examples of formal rigor here? Editor: The way the patterns are repeated in the windows and panels gives the scene a rigid, geometric structure. Everything feels very deliberate. Curator: Indeed. It reinforces the impression that the primary subject is the architectural space itself, its order and geometry and compositional arrangement. Editor: So by analyzing elements like perspective and line, we can start to see the core elements of the work and appreciate the technique of the engraver, even if it lacks historical context. Thanks, that really illuminates the composition in a new way!