Vignet voor: Johannes Sambucus. Emblemata, et aliqvot nvmmi antiqvi operis. Antwerpen: Christoffel Plantijn, 1564-1584 1564 - 1584

Editor: Here we have a vignette dating back to sometime between 1564 and 1584. It's attributed to Christoffel Plantijn of Antwerp and is titled: *Vignet voor: Johannes Sambucus. Emblemata, et aliqvot nvmmi antiqvi operis*. It looks to be an engraving of a man, probably Mr. Sambucus himself. It feels rather… stern? There’s so much going on within such a small space, though. What stands out to you? Curator: You know, stern is a good word for it. The Northern Renaissance was a serious business, even when playing with vignettes! Look at how the frame is as important as the subject – a statement about the era itself. It reminds me of staring into a well. A desire to see how profound and far back the surface really goes. And the details! Gods flank him, rigid in posture. Editor: Gods, yes! I missed those at first. They're quite imposing, aren't they? In such a small frame... what’s the impression? Almost like they're guarding him. Or judging? Curator: Perhaps they’re both guarding and judging? Imagine the life of someone important enough to have a vignette made – and the responsibility, the expectations. That’s the tension here, I think. The frame isn’t just decoration; it's a cage. Does the rigid detail not communicate the kind of man this Johannes Sambucus was? I imagine he had very serious shoes. And I find that kind of delicious to look at, like I have unlocked some historical mystery. Don't you think? Editor: A cage... I didn't think of it that way. I suppose I was caught up in the aesthetic and the man's gaze. This gives me a whole new perspective! Thank you! Curator: Anytime. These little peeks into the past – they’re gifts, really. And the more you consider these kinds of frameworks, well, you might just find yourself completely enlightened. Or lost in the shadows of the past! *Laughs* Either or.