Astyanax ontdekt door Odysseus 1627 - 1655

Here is the audio guide script about *Astyanax ontdekt door Odysseus*, an etching by Samuel Bernard. The composition in grays and whites is dominated by horizontal lines and shapes. In the foreground, we see a cradle with soldiers pointing swords into it, contrasted by a group of figures with a stoic Odysseus directing the scene. This contrast highlights the violence and drama of the moment. Bernard creates tension by opposing dynamic and static forms. The soldiers are rendered in frantic motion, with swords thrust and bodies contorted, while Odysseus and his entourage stand still. This contrast reflects the intellectual and philosophical climate of the time, which questioned the nature of heroism. The use of perspective is also notable: the city burns in the background, a subtle reminder of the broader destruction. Notice too the symbolism of classical motifs, such as the broken urn, which may refer to themes of loss and cultural destruction. Through such a combination of form, composition, and symbol, Bernard prompts us to reflect on the complexities of power, morality, and history.