Idolatry of Solomon 1606

Editor: We are looking at Nicolaes de Bruyn's "Idolatry of Solomon". It's a very detailed print. The sheer number of figures is quite impressive, though the composition seems a bit chaotic. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: Consider how de Bruyn uses line and perspective to create depth. The foreground is densely populated, receding into a complex cityscape. Observe the variations in line weight and the use of hatching to model form and suggest volume. How does the architecture reinforce a sense of receding space? Editor: I see that the buildings get smaller and less detailed as they go back, creating that illusion of depth. It’s almost like two separate scenes, the foreground with all the people and the background cityscape. Curator: Precisely. It’s a deliberate construction, each plane contributing to the overall visual structure and narrative clarity, wouldn't you agree? Editor: It's fascinating to see how much detail is packed into a single print. Thanks for pointing out the structural elements.