Suicide of Lucretia c. 17th century

Editor: So, this is Claude Mellan's "Suicide of Lucretia," an engraving. The starkness of the scene, created purely through lines, is striking. What can you tell me about Mellan's technique and how it serves the narrative here? Curator: Notice how Mellan employs a single, continuous line to model form and texture. This challenges the traditional notion of engraving as mere reproduction. The labor-intensive process itself becomes a commentary on Lucretia's plight, highlighting the physicality and constraint imposed upon her. Consider the social context: what does it mean to depict female virtue through such a demanding, almost austere, process? Editor: That's fascinating! So, the medium itself contributes to the message. Thanks! Curator: Precisely. It reframes our understanding of both the artwork and the story it portrays.