Bewening 1658 - 1660

Curator: "Bewening," created between 1658 and 1660, it’s an engraving now residing here at the Rijksmuseum. A work by Gilles Rousselet after Charles Mellin. Editor: Woah, heavy stuff! I’m immediately struck by the overwhelming somberness, that incredible contrast— the deep shadows amplify the stillness. You feel the weight of loss. Curator: Yes, that chiaroscuro is key, drawing the eye to the central figures. You’ll note the recurring motif, Mary cradling Christ. How the symbol of the pieta permeates visual language. Editor: It is intensely sorrowful but almost staged—see how the crown of thorns is casually laid off to the side like props in a theatre? Makes me consider performance and ritual. It triggers almost a reflexive grief within us. We all know the story. Curator: Precisely! The setting adds another layer. See the barren landscape, hinting at spiritual desolation following Christ's death. Landscapes during this era had complex symbolism that speaks volumes if you can understand the visual vocabulary. Editor: Hmmm, so not exactly the light and airy landscapes people tend to think about during this period? I find it really gripping when artists of the time flip expectations. Curator: Absolutely! Look closer, there’s a hidden symbolic meaning in the flora if you study the composition with knowledge about such representation. This composition also touches upon common cultural memories and themes in Western art. This work embodies Baroque dramatic flare, using narrative art. Editor: Makes you wonder about Rousselet's and Mellin's intention. Is it simply recounting a story or prompting emotional, even existential self reflection. Maybe that's what great art does, it becomes a mirror reflecting back our own fears and beliefs. Curator: I agree! It encapsulates an emotion we have collectively experienced, immortalized through repeated representation over generations. It reinforces continuity. Editor: Definitely something profound about this print’s staying power. Okay, off to see what other visual rabbit holes await! Curator: Likewise. A reminder of sorrow, transformed into enduring art.