Historische zinne-beelden / door C. van Sichem 1737 - 1781

This print titled, "Historische zinne-beelden" was created by Christoffel van Sichem IV in the 17th century. The composition is structured into eight distinct panels, each a vignette of religious or allegorical scenes. The stark contrast between the dark, hatched lines and the light paper creates a dramatic visual texture. Sichem’s use of line is particularly striking, serving not just to define forms but to create tonal depth and atmospheric effect. This approach to engraving borrows from the vocabulary of painting. The scenes are framed with minimal background detail, directing focus on the figures and their symbolic actions. There is a clear semiotic system at work, where gestures, objects, and settings converge to communicate moral and spiritual lessons. Consider, for example, the way the artist uses perspective and shadow to convey depth and mood, inviting a contemplation on themes of mortality and devotion.