Ruggiero en Bradamante op de hippogrief 1771 - 1772

Louis Wilhelm Chodowiecki created this print of Ruggiero en Bradamante op de hippogrief, in 1765 using etching. Notice how Chodowiecki constructs a world where elements of earth, sky, and mythical creatures converge. The composition is neatly divided: Below, a landscape with jagged rocks meets the ocean, suggesting danger. Above, figures ride a creature, a fantastical mix of eagle and horse. The etching technique emphasizes line and form. Consider the careful hatching which builds volume and texture. The artist's lines give shape to the impossible, hinting at the stories that blur boundaries between reality and imagination. This juxtaposition of the real and imagined forces us to reconsider our categories of what is natural versus what is constructed. The print invites us to reflect on how images shape our understanding, revealing the complex interplay between seeing and knowing.