Prins Johan Willem Friso verdrinkt bij Moerdijk, 1711 1775 - 1777

Editor: This print, "Prins Johan Willem Friso verdrinkt bij Moerdijk, 1711" by Simon Fokke, created between 1775 and 1777, depicts a chaotic scene of a capsized carriage and ship amidst crashing waves. It's quite dramatic. What strikes you about the composition of this piece? Curator: Formally, the print presents a dynamic interplay of horizontal and vertical lines. Observe how the diagonal of the overturned carriage and ship confronts the implied verticality of the building in the background, and the billowing clouds above. Do you perceive how this visual tension contributes to the overall sense of unrest and upheaval? Editor: Yes, I see how the diagonals add to the drama. But why focus so much on the lines themselves, rather than what they represent? Curator: The lines aren’t simply representational. Consider the varying density and direction of the etched lines: they evoke a sensory experience of the storm. The closely packed, frenzied lines depicting the waves create a textural effect, communicating the water’s chaotic energy. The sky mirrors that energy but with different visual cadence, wouldn't you agree? Editor: That's an interesting point about the lines themselves creating the feeling of chaos. So, it's less about *what* is being depicted, and more about *how* it’s depicted through the formal elements. Curator: Precisely. And how those formal choices generate meaning. What has changed for you now you considered these elements? Editor: I see how Fokke uses line and composition to build this scene of drowning. Focusing on just these elements, and their visual qualities, really enhances the expressive impact for me. Curator: Indeed, a deeper appreciation of how structure yields content, and perhaps a useful new perspective to bring into your future studies.