Fascicule III 1763

This is Fascicule III, a print made by Jean Claude Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non. The composition is immediately striking, with its arrangement of classical figures and urns in a seemingly random, yet carefully considered manner. The figures, rendered in delicate lines, appear to float against the stark white of the paper, creating a sense of ethereal lightness. The use of line is particularly significant here. Notice how the artist varies the line's thickness and density to create depth and shadow, thereby giving volume to the figures and objects. The contrast between the detailed rendering of the figures and the minimalist background invites us to focus on the forms themselves, prompting a deeper consideration of their symbolic and aesthetic value. Ultimately, this print functions as a semiotic system. The classical motifs evoke a certain cultural memory and intellectual framework and this combination invites the viewer to engage in a dialogue between the past and the present.