Twee meisjes met bloemen, vruchten en een papegaai 1670 - 1727

"Two Girls with Flowers, Fruits, and a Parrot" is an undated engraving by Johann Friedrich Bodecker. The composition invites us to consider how childhood innocence intertwines with symbols of abundance and nature. The subjects are arranged with a formal symmetry, yet Bodecker disrupts this balance through subtle asymmetries, such as the placement of the parrot and the gaze of the girls. Note the monochromatic tones, which flatten the figures and objects, emphasizing the surface and texture of the print. This flattening effect destabilizes traditional notions of depth and perspective. It challenges our perception of space within the image. The objects surrounding the figures—flowers, fruits, and the parrot—act as semiotic markers. The print challenges conventional portraiture, where the symbolic elements become integral to understanding the identity and cultural context of the sitters. The artwork prompts us to reconsider how meaning is constructed through visual signs and their arrangements.