Vaas 1771

P. Nicolet’s etching, “Vaas,” presents us with a somber neoclassical urn rendered in precise lines and tonal gradations. The urn, embellished with a skull draped in fabric and flanked by crossed swords, evokes a stark, emotional response. Notice how the composition is structured around a central vertical axis, creating a balanced yet unsettling effect. The urn, traditionally a symbol of memory and mourning, is subverted here. Nicolet uses the skull—a blatant memento mori—to disrupt classical idealism. This interplay between form and symbol extends to the materiality of the print itself. The fine lines of the etching allow for a high level of detail, emphasizing the textures of the stone, fabric, and bone. It creates a dialogue between aesthetic beauty and macabre content. Ultimately, the artwork destabilizes established meanings and values, inviting ongoing interpretation and discourse.