Falstaff, verkleed als mevrouw Brenton, wordt de deur gewezen 1786

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print titled 'Falstaff, verkleed als mevrouw Brenton, wordt de deur gewezen’ with engraving. Notice how the print captures a moment of chaos through its composition, using a dense cluster of figures to convey a sense of turmoil. The linear quality of the engraving emphasizes the angularity of the forms, particularly in the agitated gestures of the characters. Chodowiecki uses line and form to explore themes of disruption. In the semiotic language of art, the act of dressing in drag signifies a transgression of gender norms. This destabilization can be interpreted as a critique of established social structures. Falstaff's expulsion becomes a symbolic rejection of the values he represents. The tension evident in the print goes beyond the immediate narrative, becoming a discourse on identity, disguise, and the challenges to societal expectations.