Invidia 1548 - 1549

Editor: This pen and ink drawing, "Invidia," created around 1548-1549 by Heinrich Aldegrever, has a strikingly unsettling feeling. The figure seems almost smug standing over the skull, even though the image itself has a somewhat somber tone. What symbols are standing out to you? Curator: Well, the figure itself, this woman, embodies Envy. Note the snake she's holding—a clear allusion to deception and the poisonous nature of envy, echoing the serpent in the Garden of Eden. And what do you make of the skull beneath her foot? Editor: It seems like a representation of mortality and the ephemeral nature of life, perhaps suggesting that envy tramples over such considerations. Curator: Precisely. This speaks to a culture steeped in allegorical representation, where moral lessons were conveyed through easily recognizable symbols. The balance and scales in the background further emphasizes an allegorical reference to fairness, with the envy figure holding something purloined. How does the artistic style itself contribute to the meaning? Editor: I would say it’s very dramatic, very stylized, as if the intention is more to convey a message than accurately capture the way things look. The proportions seem off, which contributes to the kind of queasy feeling the piece gives me. Curator: Agreed. Mannerism, with its exaggerated forms and theatrical compositions, served to heighten the emotional impact and make the message more memorable. This ensured these potent symbols resonated deeply within the viewer's cultural memory, which is important because these prints were sold widely. Each owner would then meditate on envy's power. What would you take away from understanding its original purpose? Editor: I realize now that images like these served a real purpose – acting as a moral compass for their audience in a way that is vastly different from the way images affect people today. It’s made me think about how certain images resonate through generations.