Koning Josia laat het wetboek aan het volk voorlezen 1643

This engraving shows King Josiah reading the law to his people. The composition is structured into distinct layers, creating a sense of depth and hierarchy. In the foreground, the figures are animated, rendered with intricate line work to define the folds of their garments. The artist uses the architecture to create a visual framework, dividing the space and directing the viewer's eye. The columns and steps act as structural signs that suggest order and authority, reinforcing the King's position as a central figure of power and knowledge. The engraving employs classical motifs, which could be interpreted as an effort to legitimize or ennoble the subject. Yet, the somewhat crude rendering of the figures destabilizes the sense of classical perfection. The overall structure of the image invites us to consider how power is visually constructed and communicated through art.