Toren van Babel 1582 - 1613

Curator: This engraving by Pieter van der Borcht I, dating from 1582 to 1613, depicts the Tower of Babel. What strikes you most about it? Editor: Well, the sheer scale of the tower is impressive! It feels like it's trying to reach beyond the image itself, like an ambitious skyscraper of the time, the Baroque Era. What's fascinating about it in terms of, you know, bigger-picture ideas? Curator: This Tower speaks volumes about power, ambition, and ultimately, the consequences of unchecked hubris. The biblical story is often interpreted as a critique of centralized authority and forced labor, something relevant in the 16th century and even today. Consider the backbreaking work of those tiny figures; they represent a collective, perhaps even a coerced, workforce. Editor: So, it's not just a historical illustration; it’s a social commentary too? Curator: Absolutely! The Tower, in its upward thrust, becomes a symbol of human overreach, defying divine order. It highlights societal power dynamics. Who benefits from such grand constructions? Who pays the price? Think about that in the context of colonial expansion and the exploitation of resources. Editor: I see what you mean. It makes me think about modern skyscrapers and who they're really for. It also sounds critical of hierarchical societies, which is thought-provoking. Is this a visual lesson about society then? Curator: Precisely! The Tower isn't merely a building; it’s a manifestation of collective aspiration that tragically turns into division and incomprehension. And I see that you also learn quickly to apply to new artworks. Keep that spirit always! Editor: That’s incredible! It gives the engraving so much more meaning when we read the image considering the labor put on common people. I’ll never see the Tower of Babel the same way again.