Een Romeins huwelijk (in doos met 43 tekeningen) 1749

Louis Fabritius Dubourg created this drawing titled "A Roman Marriage" using pen and watercolor. It is part of a set of 43 drawings. Enclosed within a circle, the composition focuses on the ritual of marriage, observed by onlookers under a sky streaked with light. Notice the symmetry created by the placement of the figures around a central altar and robed goddess. Soft washes of color define form, but it’s the pen work that articulates the scene. Dubourg’s use of line is precise yet lively, defining the folds of drapery and the contours of the figures. The figures' gestures contribute to the narrative. The circular format suggests a symbolic completeness, framing the marriage as a self-contained world, governed by the values and traditions of Roman society. The classical setting reinforces ideals of order and harmony, which were highly esteemed during the 18th century, when Neoclassicism influenced artistic and cultural norms. Consider how the linear precision and balanced composition work together to underscore the values associated with classical antiquity, reflecting a desire for order and clarity during the Enlightenment.