Neptune n.d.

Curator: We’re looking at “Neptune” by Theodoor van Thulden, currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s rendered with pencil, chalk, and charcoal on paper, characteristic of Baroque draftsmanship. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by how dynamic it feels for a drawing. It’s as if Neptune’s emerging from the depths, muscles tensed, ready to command the seas. Curator: The composition certainly directs the viewer's gaze upwards, emphasizing his powerful stance and billowing cloak. The interplay of red chalk and charcoal adds depth, highlighting the anatomical precision van Thulden was known for. Editor: Right, that anatomical rendering! And that fierce brow! The textures he’s coaxed from the charcoal create this sense of wild energy—not just power, but elemental chaos. There's also a sensitivity though. You almost forget about the phallic symbolism when caught by the gesture. Curator: Semiotically, the trident is paramount. It signifies Neptune’s dominion and alludes to the threefold nature of his power: controlling storms, calming seas, and commanding all marine life. The medium is also telling: drawing, rather than a more “finished” painting style, perhaps reflects Neptune's volatile essence. Editor: I like that. Volatile essence perfectly captures the spirit of this piece. You expect him to throw it! Not a very calming influence really. This is way more exciting than those statues you see sometimes. What a clever god: an artistic moment of explosive force, captured just before a storm erupts. Curator: Indeed. While its precise date remains unspecified, “Neptune” allows us to appreciate the artist’s deft mastery of line, form, and allegory within the Baroque idiom. The success relies in balancing artistic finesse with allegorical weight, achieving aesthetic harmony through dynamic tension. Editor: Van Thulden makes you feel that the ocean god could just be here in the room—that this drawing isn’t just ink and chalk, but an echo of oceanic vastness. We can almost feel its spray in the air, as the ruler emerges ready to make a big, unforgettable splash.