Perseus en Dardanus 1768 - 1771

This is Charles Beurlier's print, Perseus en Dardanus. The print is organized around an ornate, vertically oriented oval frame, meticulously detailed with classical motifs. Inside, objects float among clouds in a scene suggesting intellectual pursuits and mythological themes. The composition divides into two distinct spaces: the elaborate frame and the atmospheric scene within. The frame features symmetrical arrangements of leaves, ribbons, and a grotesque mask at its apex, embodying a structured, classical aesthetic. In contrast, the interior scene presents a dreamlike space, where objects like books and furniture are rendered with soft, diffuse lines, challenging a fixed perspective. The contrast between the defined frame and the ethereal content creates a tension, highlighting the play between order and imagination. This tension destabilizes established meanings, inviting us to question how spaces and objects influence our understanding of narrative and knowledge. The print itself serves as a semiotic structure, prompting ongoing interpretation.