Brazen Serpent 16th-17th century

Curator: Johann Sadeler I created this engraving, "Brazen Serpent," sometime around the late 16th century. It depicts a biblical scene, rendered with incredible detail. Editor: It’s chaotic, isn’t it? The swirling figures and the stark contrast of light and shadow create a sense of intense drama and suffering. You can almost feel the desperation. Curator: Indeed. The piece illustrates a passage from the Book of Numbers, where God sends venomous snakes among the Israelites. Moses then erects a bronze serpent on a pole as an antidote. Editor: So, a symbol of healing born from a symbol of affliction. I see this as a poignant reminder of how deeply intertwined healing and trauma can be, both then and now. Curator: It's interesting how Sadeler chose to depict this event. He clearly understood the power of imagery in shaping religious and social narratives during the Counter-Reformation. Editor: Absolutely. It's fascinating to consider how this image might have been interpreted then, and what it means to us now, as we grapple with our own metaphorical serpents.