Castitas 1557

Editor: Here we have "Castitas," a print by Hans Collaert the Elder. The figure exudes a certain serene strength, but I’m curious about the stork at her side. What's that about? Curator: Ah, the stork! Not exactly the first image that pops into my mind when I think of chastity, right? But think about it: storks were believed to mate for life, embodying fidelity and purity in the natural world. See how she holds lilies too? Editor: Oh, I missed those! So, it's like a whole visual language, and the stork is a key word. Curator: Exactly! And it's a reminder that symbols shift and swirl over time. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, about the stories we tell with images today?