Confirmation c. 18th century

Curator: Good morning. Editor: This is "Confirmation" by Pierre Charles Trémolière, a print from the Harvard Art Museums. It seems to depict a religious ceremony, with many figures crowded into the composition. What do you see in its formal qualities? Curator: The artist's use of line is quite striking. Observe how Trémolière employs hatching and cross-hatching to create a sense of volume and shadow, particularly in the drapery and the faces. How does this affect the composition? Editor: It gives it a sense of depth, like a bas-relief. I also notice that all the lines converge to the center. Curator: Precisely. This strategic organization of visual elements directs the viewer's gaze and contributes to the overall structure. It appears the artist is carefully staging the light and shadow for symbolic impact. Editor: That’s a really insightful way of looking at it. Curator: Indeed. By deconstructing the formal structure, we gain a more comprehensive appreciation.