Officier en boodschapper 1843 - 1887

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this artwork, "Officier en boodschapper" using etching. Notice the immediate contrast in stance between the two figures depicted. On the left, one figure sits hunched over a table, immersed in writing, embodying a sense of focused concentration. Conversely, on the right stands a man with a commanding presence, erect and gazing directly outward, as if asserting his authority. The table and fireplace not only anchor the composition but also hint at a space of quiet contemplation. Last masterfully uses the etching technique to highlight the visual components and cultural codes which may have informed the artwork's making and reception. Ultimately, the artwork serves as a powerful exploration of the relationship between action and contemplation, authority and subservience. Last challenges fixed meanings of each through the dynamic interplay of form and content.