Vlam in de vorm van een vrouw, met daaromheen mannen met vleugels die zich branden en neerstorten 1909

Marcel Roux created this print, "Flame in the form of a woman, surrounded by men with wings who burn and crash," using etching techniques. The composition features a radiant female figure, seemingly made of light, surrounded by winged figures in chaotic descent. The emotional tone is intense, evoking themes of desire, destruction, and tragic consequences. Roux’s masterful handling of line and tone constructs this dramatic scene. The contrast between the luminous figure and the shadowed forms creates a strong visual hierarchy, emphasizing the central flame-woman as a focal point of both attraction and peril. Considering structuralist perspectives, the falling figures may represent a symbolic challenge to established meanings of aspiration and transcendence, replaced by inevitable downfall. Notice how the figures are arranged—the central figure is composed vertically, like a pillar. The figures around her are positioned horizontally, destabilizing the verticality of the composition. This arrangement is not merely aesthetic. It’s a statement about power, perception, and representation.