Trigone before 1828

Pierre Félix van Doren created this drawing of a trigone, an ancient harp-like instrument, using pen and grey ink on paper. At first glance, the trigone is centered in the circle's frame, its triangular form softened by ribbons and floral decoration. The trigone is presented in linear perspective. Close inspection reveals that Van Doren destabilizes conventional representation, rendering the musical instrument more as an emblem than a functional object. He seems less interested in representing reality and more in exploring symbolic or ideal forms. Van Doren’s "Trigone" suggests a deeper engagement with form and structure. It invites us to question the relationships between image, object, and idea, and how the artist, using simple lines and shapes, can prompt thought. The drawing challenges our assumptions about art's purpose, suggesting it can be a site for philosophical inquiry.