Jael en Sisera 1517

This is an anonymous line drawing called “Jael en Sisera,” currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The scene’s composition is organized around a stark contrast: the dynamic verticality of Jael standing over the horizontal, defeated Sisera. Note how the artist uses line to create texture and depth. Fine, closely-spaced lines build shadows, especially noticeable in the folds of Jael's dress and Sisera's armor, giving the figures volume. The background, though detailed with architectural elements, feels less substantial, flattened by thinner, sparser lines. Consider the power dynamics visualized through spatial arrangement and line work. Jael's action, poised with a hammer above Sisera, embodies an inversion of power. This subversion is reinforced by the linear style, which both constructs and questions traditional representations of gender roles and dominance.