Alfabet met figuren 1827 - 1894

M. Hemeleers-van Houter created this ‘Alphabet with Figures’ using an etching technique. The work presents a grid of 26 frames, each meticulously illustrating a character or scene corresponding to a letter of the alphabet. Observe how the artist uses simple lines and forms to construct each figure, enhanced by selective applications of colour wash. Notice the structure within each frame; the subjects are centrally positioned, creating a balanced yet dynamic composition. Each corresponds to a letter, but it also offers a semiotic reading of societal roles and hierarchies. The choice to represent various professions and social types suggests an attempt to codify the world through a structured visual language. The artist’s approach highlights the interplay between text and image, inviting us to consider how visual representation reinforces or challenges established meanings. ‘Alphabet with Figures’ is a rich tableau that blends the formal simplicity of its design with broader cultural implications.