Daphnis en Chloë brengen een offer aan Pan 1800

Editor: This is "Daphnis and Chloe Offering a Sacrifice to Pan," an engraving made around 1800 by Jean Godefroy. There's a stillness to the figures despite the active scene of sacrifice. What can you tell me about the context behind it? Curator: This print exemplifies Neoclassicism, where artists looked back to antiquity. Think about what the turn of the 19th century meant. Revolutions, a move away from the monarchy and toward, theoretically, egalitarianism. But did "egalitarian" include everyone? Did the aesthetic choices reflect the social structures of the time, perhaps upholding certain ideals of beauty, power, and gender? Editor: So, beyond just being inspired by ancient Greece, this style actually served a purpose? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the myth of Daphnis and Chloe itself—a pastoral romance emphasizing youthful innocence and idealized love, presented through a decidedly male gaze. How might the engraving, as a reproductive medium, participate in disseminating specific notions about the natural world, gender roles, and societal values? It promotes a very controlled vision of sexuality, especially female sexuality. Notice who's in control here. Editor: I see what you mean. There's an inherent power dynamic in choosing whose stories get told and how, especially when the artist is a man depicting a heterosexual relationship within a very structured setting. Curator: Precisely. It encourages us to consider who is included in the ‘classical’ ideal, and more importantly, who is excluded, and why. And remember that representations are never neutral; they participate in complex dialogues around identity, power, and societal norms. It reflects how images can both inspire and restrict possibilities of expression and social justice. Editor: I hadn't considered how the act of depicting the story reinforces certain social narratives. Thanks, that’s incredibly helpful to keep in mind!