Mozes bij de herders 1601 - 1652

Curator: Before us hangs an engraving entitled "Moses with the Shepherds," made sometime between 1601 and 1652. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My immediate impression is one of bucolic stillness, almost serene, despite the scene unfolding. The texture and shading are extraordinary for an engraving, creating such depth. Curator: Indeed. Note how the landscape acts not just as a backdrop but an active participant in the story. This artwork participates in the broader discourse about the political and social status of the Israelites in exile. Look closely and you'll note figures who have been marginalized from society. Editor: I am intrigued by the use of line to depict everything from the soft fleece of the sheep to the rough bark of the trees. It draws the eye through the narrative and leads us deeper and deeper into the landscape, like entering an allegory. The composition creates these interlocking geometries that keep our eyes from wandering. Curator: The choice of Moses as a subject reflects the prevailing social attitudes of the time. Artists frequently turned to biblical stories for narratives that could be mapped onto contemporary concerns. Depicting Moses as a protector of shepherds would have been quite moving for communities under their own political turmoil, right? Editor: The tonal gradations that the engraver coaxes out of the medium create a compelling sense of atmospheric perspective, especially when we contemplate the scale of the image overall. I’m thinking in terms of light, shade and tonal values creating not just dimension, but contributing a visual narrative that amplifies the explicit narrative. It’s really the manipulation of light and dark. Curator: What is most compelling for me, still, is the engraving's capacity to evoke a particular moment in time, revealing how communities and individuals sought meaning and refuge. The image offers us a space for reflecting upon these universal and perpetual issues. Editor: Yes, a confluence of skilled lines and a carefully structured scene certainly provoke much meditation. Curator: Thank you. Editor: A pleasure.