Goddesses and Nymphs of the Fields: Dryas c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have Cornelis Cort's engraving, "Goddesses and Nymphs of the Fields: Dryas." It's an early print, so delicate. Editor: There's something about this dryad's quiet strength, isn't there? Perched on that branch, basket overflowing. The density of the forest feels almost…claustrophobic. Curator: Cort, a master engraver, uses a network of fine lines to build depth. Consider the labor involved in producing these prints, each line carefully etched. Editor: The social context of prints like these really intrigues me - they made classical imagery accessible to a wider audience, almost like a mass-produced dream. Curator: Absolutely, and the materials themselves – the paper, the ink, the metal plate – were all part of a complex system of production and consumption. Editor: It's like the dryad is inviting us into her world. I find myself wondering about the stories these trees could tell, and what sort of labor went into cultivating them. Curator: Looking closely I feel I'm entering a sacred realm... Editor: Leaving you with that sense of awe and connection; art is like a bridge.