Decius Mus bereidt zich voor op zijn dood 1710 - 1740

This is Joseph Schmutzer's "Decius Mus bereidt zich voor op zijn dood," made sometime between 1683 and 1740 using an engraving technique. The composition is divided vertically; to the left we see Decius Mus’s military entourage in a dynamic and active posture, while on the right we see religious figures, static and draped in cloth. This division emphasizes the two worlds Decius Mus straddles: the earthly and the divine. Schmutzer uses line and texture to distinguish between the figures and create depth. Note how the contrast between light and shadow not only sculpts the forms, but also heightens the drama. Consider how the texture in the leaves and the flowing hair of the horse, are captured using detailed engraving techniques. The piece uses a semiotic system of signs to interpret the visual components and cultural codes of this time. The way the figures are dressed, the symbols, and the postures that are assumed challenge fixed meanings. It engages with new ways of thinking about space, perception and power.