Twee bekroningen met cartouches 1736 - 1737

Editor: Here we have *Two Crowns with Cartouches*, an engraving dating from 1736-1737 by Henry Fletcher. The level of detail in such a small-scale work is incredible. The overall effect is ornate, decorative… almost like looking at an architectural blueprint. What’s your take on this work? Curator: Blueprints, you say? That's interesting, because to me it’s a glimpse into a world of pure, exuberant fantasy. Imagine these cartouches gracing the corners of a royal room, each flourish a testament to baroque opulence! It feels less about practical design, and more like an invitation to drown in detail, a dizzying dance of line and form. Editor: So you’re seeing a sense of excess, even? The “drowning” aspect intrigues me. Is that tied to the subject matter – the cartouches themselves? Curator: In a way, yes! The cartouches are frameworks, containers…but what are they meant to contain? Perhaps emptiness! The sheer density of the ornamentation becomes the point, the frame eclipsing the picture. Think of it like… well, like a magnificent stage with no play to perform. A delicious void, wouldn’t you say? Editor: A delicious void… I like that! It reframes how I saw the piece entirely. Initially, I viewed the busyness as simply that -- busy, detailed. But I understand, these baroque elements play with form. Curator: Absolutely! It's about *playing* – indulging in visual pleasure. It is of its time. We might now feel overwhelmed, and pull back in the interests of sleek simplicity; it doesn't make this is any less beautiful, any less valuable as a symbol. Editor: That's really insightful. It's been really helpful to discuss and has definitely changed how I will view other engravings, too!