The Frankfurt Altarpiece of the Exaltation of the True Cross_ The Embarkation of the Empress Helena (left) c. 1603 - 1605

Editor: Standing here before "The Embarkation of the Empress Helena," part of The Frankfurt Altarpiece by Adam Elsheimer, created around 1603, I am struck by the juxtaposition of the intimate scene in the foreground and the sprawling landscape behind. The detail feels incredibly modern. What resonates with you most when you view this painting? Curator: This painting encapsulates the psychological weight of a journey. Helena’s embarkation isn’t merely a physical departure, but a symbolic leaving behind of the known. Notice how the architectural details around her – the temple, the ancient ruins – speak to the layers of history she carries with her. The landscape, while beautiful, also evokes a sense of the unknown and the challenges she'll encounter in her quest for the True Cross. Do you see any specific iconographic elements that hint at her future? Editor: Well, there's definitely a contrast between her delicate sandals and what looks like the working-class figures who populate the shore in the background…a physical task awaits her! It’s easy to forget she’s heading toward a challenging mission. Curator: Precisely! The clothing worn, the very expressions – Elsheimer embeds visual cues everywhere. Even the light, wouldn't you agree, feels almost prophetic? See how it illuminates Helena while casting long shadows over the crowd? This hints at her divine purpose. How might contemporary audiences have interpreted this? Editor: It seems like they would have instantly grasped the symbolism. Today, we often need more historical context. Curator: Indeed. And in remembering what these symbols once represented, we can see the past not as some fixed thing, but as something with ever-present symbolic power. Editor: Thinking about it that way really does give a richer appreciation for the layers of meaning embedded in Elsheimer’s art. Curator: And it's precisely those layers that speak across time, still capable of resonating with us.