Fabritius and Pyrrhus 

Editor: This is "Fabritius and Pyrrhus," painted by Ferdinand Bol. There's so much going on, from the dramatic figures to the…is that an elephant?! The whole scene feels intense, kind of chaotic. What's your read on it? Curator: Chaos is definitely a keyword here. And yes, an elephant, a war elephant, no less! It's Bol wrestling with history painting, which was a very popular genre in his day. But I always wonder if Bol was a little… bored by it. Look at the faces—some are so generic, almost cartoonish. Then there are those moments of absolute brilliance in the textures and color; the sumptuous yellows contrasting with the cold steely grays of the armour. It is almost as if his attention drifted back and forth while painting it. I love it! How do you feel when you look at it? Editor: I see what you mean. It's almost like he couldn't decide whether to be serious or… not? So what's the story being told here, besides…war, apparently? Curator: It depicts Pyrrhus, the King of Epirus, an ancient Greek King during his campaign against Rome in the third century BC. The child being shielded on the stairs is possibly Fabritius who refused to betray Pyrrhus despite offers to do so. I sometimes imagine Bol was saying something subtle about conflict itself—maybe even gently mocking its pomp and grandeur. The leopard skin seems flamboyant and comical in its theatrical nature. Perhaps, too, that is just my modern bias creeping in. Editor: Interesting! I wouldn’t have picked up on the subtle commentary myself. But now that you mention it, I can't unsee it. Curator: It's funny how a fresh perspective can alter your relationship with a painting. What new wonders will be unearthed when you view art? Editor: Absolutely! Thanks! It’s given me a lot to think about!