Aanbidding der koningen 1681 - 1728

This is François van Bleyswijck's rendering of "The Adoration of the Magi," an engraving dating back to the late 17th or early 18th century. The print, rendered in stark monochrome, emphasizes the scene's inherent drama through a strategic manipulation of light and shadow. Note how Bleyswijck uses a series of carefully arranged lines and shapes to guide the viewer's eye across the composition. The draped canopy acts as a frame, directing our attention to the central figures of Mary and the infant Jesus. This intentional arrangement of elements works to create a dynamic interplay between depth and surface. The artist invites us to consider the structural underpinnings of representation itself, questioning how lines and forms can construct a narrative that resonates across centuries. This piece, though seemingly traditional in subject, challenges us to look beyond the surface, inviting a deeper engagement with the formal qualities of art and their potential to destabilize fixed meanings.