Bas-reliëf van een vrouw en een putto 1636 - 1647

Reinier van Persijn created this engraving of a bas-relief around 1650, which features a woman and two putti. The composition uses a limited tonal range, which enhances the tactile quality of the stone relief. The woman's draped figure is seated, holding an infant. Another putto stands to the left, his arm outstretched toward her. The figures’ contrapposto and classical garb suggest a revival of antique artistic conventions. Van Persijn masterfully translates three-dimensional sculpture into a two-dimensional print. The delicate lines create a sense of depth and volume, despite the print’s flat surface. The emphasis on line and form aligns with the prevailing artistic values of the Dutch Golden Age, where clarity and precision were highly esteemed. This print functions as an exploration of how form can convey classical ideals and aesthetic values. It reveals a deep engagement with the visual language of antiquity, rendered with the precision of engraving.