Twee inwoners van Venetië, 1726 1726

In this 1726 print by Aldert Meyer, we see two figures dominating the foreground against a backdrop of Venice. The work, rendered in fine lines, presents a study in contrasts and structural balance. The composition is divided vertically, with a female figure on the left, draped in heavy, ornate fabric, mirrored by a male figure on the right, cloaked and holding a book. These figures act as pillars, framing the city of Venice in the background. The use of line is particularly striking; dense hatching creates depth and shadow, giving a sense of volume to the figures, while finer lines delineate the architectural details of the city. The textures created by these lines—the smooth flow of fabric versus the solidity of the buildings—add another layer of complexity. The artist uses the concept of binary opposition, the two figures represent the city’s gendered social structure. Venice, suspended in the sky between them, is at once a symbol of reality and of the ideal. This print invites us to consider how signs and symbols create meaning.