Saint Cornelius c. 19th century

Editor: This is Friedrich August Ludy's "Saint Cornelius," from the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by the detail in the engraving, particularly the lines that create the texture of the saint's robes. What do you see in the formal qualities of this work? Curator: The linear precision is indeed remarkable. Notice how Ludy employs hatching and cross-hatching to model form and create a sense of depth. The sharp contrast of light and shadow isolates the figure within the composition. Editor: So, the composition itself emphasizes the figure’s presence through the contrast of light? Curator: Precisely. The artist uses formal elements to draw your eye, structuring a visual hierarchy within the piece. What do you make of the figure's static pose? Editor: It gives a sense of solemnity. I see now how the formal choices create that feeling! Curator: Indeed, considering these elements allows us to appreciate the work’s construction.