Graflegging 1676 - 1719

This is "Graflegging", an undated engraving by Johannes Rentiers, that employs a dense network of lines to construct form and convey a narrative. The composition is structured around the stark contrast between light and shadow, creating a dramatic tableau. The arrangement of figures around the body of Christ draws our eye to the central event, with Rentiers using the formal elements of line and shadow to elicit an emotional response. Rentiers has skillfully manipulated linear structures to destabilize the boundaries between the earthly and the divine. The visual language of the engraving underscores the symbolic weight of the event. The use of line, shadow, and form encourages viewers to consider the deeper structures and meanings embedded within the artwork.