Cohorts 1675

Editor: This is "Cohorts," a print of unknown date by Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a procession of soldiers. The linear quality of the engraving makes it look like a bas-relief. What do you see in this work? Curator: I observe a fascinating interplay between line and form. The artist's strategic use of hatching and cross-hatching creates volume and depth, despite the monochromatic palette. Note how the repetition of figures, while creating a sense of movement, also flattens the composition, drawing attention to the surface of the print itself. What is your interpretation of this? Editor: I can see that now. The shading does give them form, but they almost blend into the background. Thanks for helping me see that. Curator: Indeed. The artwork prompts a reflection on how we perceive depth and dimension in a two-dimensional space. The eye is drawn to follow the figures across the scene. Editor: I learned a lot about technique and how to look at prints today.