Jason Stealing the Golden Fleece c. 17th century

Editor: This engraving, "Jason Stealing the Golden Fleece," from the 17th century by Cornelis Bloemaert, is striking. The drama jumps out at you with the intense action and characters, the dragon, but what is the artist conveying? Curator: I see a potent concentration of symbolic power, particularly within the interplay of violence and triumph. Do you notice how the golden fleece is centered, bathed in a brighter light, as Jason seems to exit this theater of action? The fleece itself represents not only wealth, but also kingship and divine authority, drawing upon cultural memories of classical heroes and their trials. Editor: I do see it. It’s very textural and it looks… heavy? Is that also significant? Curator: The weight you perceive resonates deeply. The fleece acts as a tangible burden, but one willingly borne for the sake of legacy. The cherubic figures above frame a portrait—whose portrait? Note how it’s elevated, idealized. It is part of a lineage—almost like Jason is enacting this myth to take his place among other powerful figures. Is this a timeless story being personalized? Editor: So, you're saying this image works on several levels? It tells the Jason story but it’s about personal ambition and immortalization. It uses myth and history for that. Curator: Precisely. By appropriating and restaging such culturally-rich stories and symbols, we ourselves gain understanding and maybe find ourselves within them. That image travels across history, reinventing itself. Editor: So fascinating. It makes me consider my role in today’s world and the future of stories we tell. Curator: A narrative indeed. It reflects history, our world, and, most powerfully, yourself.