The sense of hearing c. 1586

Editor: This is Hendrick Goltzius's "The Sense of Hearing," a drawing from around 1586, using ink on toned paper. The flowing lines and the muted palette create a dreamlike atmosphere for me. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: Immediately, the rhythmic quality of the lines commands attention. Note the swirling drapery juxtaposed with the almost statuesque pose of the figure. Do you see how Goltzius uses contrasting tonalities of ink to delineate form, creating depth and volume? The strategic use of light and shadow seems almost sculptural, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Yes, I can see how the highlights on her leg and the lute create a focal point. What about the setting though? It seems so…fragmented. Curator: Precisely. The fragmented background serves to isolate the figure, further emphasizing her symbolic representation of hearing. Consider the placement of the musical instruments at her feet; they are almost discarded, suggesting a moment of pure, internal auditory experience, free from external stimuli. The gesture itself, playing the lute with eyes closed, reinforces this idea. How do you interpret the relationship between the figure and these elements? Editor: That’s insightful! I hadn’t considered how the discarded instruments contribute to the sense of internalized sound. So, it's the contrast between the figure's serene expression and the almost chaotic arrangement of objects that really defines the artwork’s core? Curator: Indeed. Goltzius masterfully orchestrates these visual elements to create a compelling exploration of sensory experience. It makes me think about the role of semiotics within Baroque art of the time, when emotional appeal and sensorial immersion became crucial in art. Editor: This really changes how I view the artwork! I was initially drawn to its ethereal mood, but now I recognize how skillfully Goltzius used composition and symbolism to communicate a deeper meaning. Curator: And I appreciate how your fresh perspective illuminates the enduring power of Goltzius's technique, emphasizing the artwork’s sophisticated orchestration of line, form, and sensory evocation.