Melancholie 1533 - 1567

Curator: This engraving is titled "Melancholie," made by Enea Vico sometime between 1533 and 1567. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: The figure exudes profound despondency. The overall tonal value is light, almost stark, lending it an air of detachment, don't you think? Curator: Precisely. Vico’s technique is evident in the refined linear quality. Observe the detailed hatchwork—its execution articulates both form and texture within this composition. Editor: Look at the way she’s perched on that rock in the middle of the water; one almost feels the weight of her despair physically sinking into the very materiality of the stone. And her clothes seem bulky and impractical, more burden than comfort. Curator: Indeed. We can look to semiotics to find deeper meanings; the distant ship alludes perhaps to journeys or opportunities lost, heightening the sense of isolation. It forms part of a wider visual language within the artwork. Editor: Perhaps that lost journey reflects on Vico’s choices as an engraver? He made copies of others' designs to bring artwork to wider audiences—a method dependent on commerce, yet also on highly skilled handiwork. Curator: That relationship between craftsmanship and commerce would definitely have shaped the work he did. Think about how this piece resonates even now. Editor: I'll admit, that woman and that sea--that’s a vibe I can identify with. All those careful lines, so meticulously made. So melancholy, but still—impressive.