Pavor, from Proposopographia 1580 - 1595

Editor: Here we have "Pavor, from Proposopographia," an engraving by Philips Galle, created sometime between 1580 and 1595. It’s got this odd combination of classical figure and frightened rabbit. What do you make of it? Curator: Galle offers us more than just an allegorical representation of fear. Considering the period, the Mannerist style – with its exaggerated anatomy – speaks to anxieties of the time. This figure, burdened by the rabbit, almost seems to be fleeing something unseen. Does this 'Pavor'–fear – become a commentary on power dynamics and societal fears in late 16th century Europe? What is he running from and who is being hunted? Editor: Power dynamics? I wouldn't have thought of that. I just saw a scared dude. Is it fair to impose such ideas onto old artwork? Curator: Fair? It is imperative. Art does not exist in a vacuum. Considering the prevalent social hierarchies and religious persecutions, the act of naming and depicting "fear" acquires greater weight. Is Galle subtly critiquing the mechanisms of fear utilized by those in authority? Think about how control is often maintained by instilling and manipulating anxieties within the population. Editor: That is an interesting perspective. It makes me look at his slightly panicked face and wonder exactly what 'fear' looked like then, or even what it means now. Curator: Indeed. Galle gives us a lens through which to examine the long history of socially constructed fear, and question its continued role. So, who does this representation of fear serve today, and who does it potentially oppress? Editor: Food for thought. I will definitely be thinking about this engraving differently from now on. Curator: Precisely. This piece allows us to examine how historically entrenched power structures perpetuate these feelings across centuries.