Tomb of Louis XVI and his family, with hidden silhouettes 1793 - 1800

Editor: This is an engraving titled "Tomb of Louis XVI and his family, with hidden silhouettes," created anonymously between 1793 and 1800. It depicts a mournful scene, and the stark lines create a real sense of melancholy. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Initially, the symmetrical arrangement of elements strikes me. Note the weeping willow mirroring the figure in mourning, the urn acting as a central focal point, and the oval frame acting to compress the narrative and direct our reading of the scene. Editor: I hadn't noticed the compression as much as the darkness of the foliage around the woman! The landscape around her seems so much more alive. Curator: That's astute. Observe how the texture varies dramatically. The smoothness of the figure’s gown contrasts sharply with the densely packed lines that comprise the weeping willow and the rough scales of the serpent. And, did you catch how the serpent encroaches, violating that clear space? Editor: I did see the snake at the base of the tomb, which looks reptilian. What could it be referencing here? Curator: Its texture draws the eye in a disconcerting way, disrupting an otherwise neat reading of the classical scene. The figure, presented in profile, follows the same form and visual intent as the snake. Both direct attention from left to right toward the dark opening in the center. Notice also how the architecture echoes the lines of the central structure. Editor: Seeing the engraving broken down formally this way allows for more interesting meanings to be constructed. Thanks for that, Curator. Curator: My pleasure. Focusing on form, as we have here, offers an insightful approach for art interpretation.