Illustratie voor de Decamerone van Boccaccio 1697

This is an etching by Romeyn de Hooghe, made as an illustration for Boccaccio's Decameron. It's a small scene, measuring only 74 by 79 millimeters, yet it captures a wealth of detail through intricate lines. The composition divides the image into distinct spaces: an interior where a seated monk reads, and an exterior glimpsed behind a gesturing woman. The contrast between the enclosed, shadowed space of the monk and the open, sunlit garden creates a visual tension. Notice how the lines define texture and form, from the heavy folds of the monk's robe to the delicate rendering of foliage. De Hooghe uses line not just to depict but to suggest. The woman’s pose, the monk’s absorption, and the architectural details all contribute to a narrative that hints at the stories within Boccaccio's tales. The formal structure here is a deliberate choice, framing the narrative within a broader discourse on morality and pleasure. This small print thus engages with larger cultural narratives through its precise and suggestive lines.