Afgunst 1636 - 1700

Curator: This etching, dating sometime between 1636 and 1700, is entitled "Afgunst," or "Envy" in Dutch. It’s by Jean de Weert. The stark contrast is quite arresting. Editor: Absolutely. The figure leaps out immediately. She looks tormented, almost wild, her hair like a chaotic halo. It's all swirling lines and nervous energy. What draws my eye most is the serpent she's clutching. Curator: The serpent, of course, is a classical symbol for envy and malevolence. It emphasizes the corrupting nature of envy, a recurring theme within broader societal narratives during the period. De Weert renders this through visible anguish. Editor: Precisely. The gesture of her hand to her head amplifies that distress, creating a tangible sense of internal struggle. One can sense a deep psychological disturbance. And is that fire at the base of the tree behind her? A hellish burning in response to her envy? Curator: That visual element adds another layer. Consider the etching itself as a widely reproducible format during a period of significant religious and political upheaval. Images like these functioned as potent morality lessons. Editor: Morality, but also deep cultural fears. This wasn’t merely about teaching right and wrong but expressing very raw, emotional experiences through the language of recognizable symbols. It reminds us that the personal and the political were tightly entwined. Curator: I find it so interesting how the public performance of private feeling has always had this didactic role through public facing art works like these. Editor: Yes! And to consider how we, as viewers removed by centuries, still recognize, still viscerally *feel* the depicted agony—that's the real staying power of powerful iconography. Curator: Indeed. Studying this etching in light of its context allows us to consider not only the societal messaging but also the role the serpent has as a historical reminder, creating, in effect, a lasting memento. Editor: Right! Now when I see the snake I will be immediately reminded of "Afgunst"!