Here ends the triumph of Fury and begins the triumph of Nature 1782 - 1783

Curator: This engraving is titled "Here ends the triumph of Fury and begins the triumph of Nature" by Nicolas Delaunay. It's quite small, only about 10 by 6 centimeters. Editor: Immediately, I see a story about societal expectations and perhaps a critique of gender roles—the stiff posture of the man versus the emotional display of the women. Curator: The composition is carefully balanced, isn't it? Note the mirroring in the portraits on the wall and how they frame the figures. The lines create a sense of contained drama. Editor: Yes, and consider who gets to be in those portraits. The domestic scene speaks to the limited sphere women were often relegated to. Where is the "fury" ending, and what kind of "nature" is being triumphed? Curator: Perhaps the fury is the societal pressure, now giving way to the natural state of familial connection. I admire how Delaunay uses the texture of the engraving to differentiate the fabrics. Editor: Or perhaps the fury is a woman’s anger at those societal constraints, now being suppressed by expectations of maternal affection and duty. Curator: I see your point. It's remarkable how much narrative complexity Delaunay achieves in such a small, precise work. Editor: Absolutely. It invites us to question the values embedded within these seemingly simple domestic scenes.