Ontvangst van de Marrokaanse gezant door de Staten Generaal, 6 september 1770 1770 - 1801

Editor: So, this drawing, "Ontvangst van de Marrokaanse gezant door de Staten Generaal, 6 september 1770" by Jacobus Buys, made with pen and ink, presents this formal reception scene. I am curious about how the rigid neoclassical setting interacts with the more exotic figures of the Moroccan delegation. What visual cues are most significant to you in understanding this work? Curator: The stark contrast in textures and tonality is indeed striking. Note how Buys meticulously delineates the architectural details, emphasizing the rectilinear forms and the ordered repetition of elements. Observe, also, how he creates a focal point by positioning the Moroccan delegation against this austere backdrop. Ask yourself, what impact does this positioning have? Editor: It certainly emphasizes their otherness. Their robes and turbans are a clear visual divergence from the powdered wigs and Western clothing of the Dutch representatives. Curator: Precisely. The artist has carefully used line and contrast to underscore this dichotomy. Notice how the flow of the lines within the drapery of the Moroccan figures differs substantially from the tighter, more controlled lines used to depict the seated figures. It’s a study in contrasting linear rhythms. Are you interpreting the composition to establish cultural power dynamics through its formal structure? Editor: I do now! I see that the use of neoclassicism, beyond the subject matter, establishes a sense of order. The work employs rigid geometric space versus the flowing clothing of the Ambassador’s delegation. Thank you. Curator: Indeed, we both identified interesting characteristics of this composition that might be overlooked without some close looking and theoretical exploration of neoclassicism.