Leaving Troy 1593 - 1647

Curator: This is Sebastiaen Vrancx’s "Leaving Troy," made sometime between 1593 and 1647. It's a pencil and engraving print showcased at the Met. Editor: The scene feels very busy. A crowd of people are leaving the city and heading toward the ships in the harbor. What narratives do you see emerging from this piece? Curator: The most pressing aspect of this piece is the act of displacement. How might this scene echo or inform our understanding of contemporary forced migration? Editor: I hadn't considered that! With so many historical artworks, I often struggle to connect to them and see what lessons are in them. I was only looking at it formally! Curator: Vrancx captures a moment of immense vulnerability. This piece encourages us to confront our role as witnesses and potential actors within ongoing cycles of displacement and conflict. Is there something different in how you read this artwork now? Editor: Definitely. Thinking about displacement really reframes it. It's not just a historical scene but a commentary on the enduring human condition, particularly how vulnerable populations are affected by war. Thanks, this perspective changes everything! Curator: Art holds power when we activate it by thinking about the world around us. Keep engaging with art through this lens and your understanding will become only richer and more meaningful!