Fabel van Fortuin en het kind 1776

This is Bertin's etching, "Fabel van Fortuin en het kind" The composition is stark, a high-contrast scene rendered with precise lines. A woman, presumably Fortune, bends towards a child next to a well. Notice the way the scene is structured. The strong vertical of the stone well contrasts with Fortune's diagonal lean, creating a dynamic tension. The texture is rich, achieved through intricate cross-hatching that defines forms and shadows. This use of line lends a tactile quality to the figures and objects, from the billowing clouds to the rough stonework. The piece evokes a sense of urgency and perhaps a deeper commentary on the capricious nature of fortune itself. The formal qualities of the etching—its sharp lines and dramatic contrasts—serve not only an aesthetic function but also enhance its narrative power. It leaves us pondering the precariousness of human existence in the face of chance.