Le Cavalier 1605 - 1650

Jean Morin’s "Le Cavalier", made around the mid-17th century, presents a serene landscape encased within a circle, immediately drawing our eye to its contained world. The delicate etching lines define forms and textures, from the dense foliage of the tree to the distant rolling hills. This circular framing, a conscious formal choice, imposes a sense of order, almost as if viewing nature through a constructed lens. The composition divides the scene into distinct horizontal layers: the foreground with the horseman, the middle ground with the meandering river and background of cloudy skies. Structurally, the tree serves as a vertical anchor, contrasting with the expansive landscape it frames. Morin’s use of etching, with its fine lines and detailed textures, invites us to consider the relationship between nature and its representation. The circular format challenges the traditional rectangular landscape, prompting us to reflect on the nature of boundaries and perspectives in art. How does this shape alter our understanding of the landscape, and what does it say about our relationship to the natural world?