Buste van een Romeinse dame 1672 - 1677

Here is the story about the artwork: Claude Mellan created "Buste van een Romeinse dame" as an engraving, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The print presents a study in restrained elegance, achieved through meticulous lines that define the Roman lady's form. The composition, with its focus on the bust, invites a close inspection of Mellan’s technique. Observe how Mellan employs the singular line to model form and texture. The continuous, unbroken strokes, varying in thickness and density, suggest depth and shadow. This technique, relying on the modulation of line rather than hatching, creates an almost tactile quality, evoking the smooth, cool surface of marble. The engraving challenges conventional notions of representation, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with a single, continuous line. Mellan doesn't just depict a bust, he explores the very essence of form through the economy and precision of line. The Roman lady’s gaze carries echoes of classical ideals of beauty and composure, yet, it is Mellan’s innovative technique that truly defines this piece.