Perseus en Andromeda 1786 - 1808

Curator: I'm always so captivated by engravings. Look at this piece, "Perseus en Andromeda," dating from 1786 to 1808 by Jean-Louis Delignon. The scene is epic. Look at Andromeda chained to a rock, Perseus swooping in—it’s all very dramatic. What catches your eye? Editor: Well, I find the detail astonishing for an engraving. The contrast between light and shadow gives it such depth, and the story is immediately engaging. But I am intrigued by the monster itself; why depict it that way? Curator: Ah, the monster! A truly delightful conundrum, isn't it? It seems our friend Delignon has taken a few liberties, perhaps drawing inspiration from various artistic traditions or letting his imagination run wild. Instead of just copying ancient accounts, maybe he mused, what if I made this serpent with spiky scales AND prominent fangs? What would that suggest about its insatiable hunger, its monstrous anger? Editor: So, artistic interpretation trumps historical accuracy sometimes? Curator: Absolutely! He isn't just illustrating a myth; he’s making a statement about heroism, beauty, and fear, wrapped in a very pleasing and intriguing package. Editor: It's a fantastic point! The monster’s oddness almost heightens the other figures' heroism and vulnerability. I guess I was too focused on what it *should* look like, and missed the point of the artist making it his own. Curator: Precisely! What have we truly understood if we don’t try to find our own voice and perspective on things.