Cephalus en Procris 1528 - 1583

Editor: So, this is "Cephalus en Procris" by Etienne Delaune, dating from somewhere between 1528 and 1583. It's an engraving, so a print. There’s almost a comic book feel to it because of the line work and staging. What social or historical context can you provide about it? Curator: Well, engravings like this circulated widely, almost functioning like early modern social media. The Ovid story it illustrates – the tragedy of Cephalus and Procris – speaks to ideas about fidelity, jealousy, and fate that resonated deeply within the societal frameworks of marriage and courtly love. Editor: Interesting! The figures look very classical in style, yet they seem placed within a very active landscape, which almost seems at odds with that. Curator: The juxtaposition of classical figures with active landscapes mirrors the Humanist interests prevalent at the time. Artists, influenced by rediscovered classical texts, were re-interpreting myths to comment on contemporary societal concerns, so who was seeing this image, and in what context? Would it have been primarily enjoyed and seen at court, where themes of betrayal and love would have been keenly understood? Editor: So it’s less about illustrating the myth itself, and more about using it as a commentary? Curator: Precisely! Prints allowed these stories to be disseminated beyond elite circles, subtly influencing public perceptions of relationships and power dynamics. How do you feel the choice of engraving contributes to the impact of the piece? Editor: The clean lines feel precise and almost detached. It makes the tragic narrative almost clinical, further emphasizing the societal critique. I see the print now as both a beautiful object and a mirror reflecting societal norms. Curator: Exactly. This small engraving opens up discussions about love, power, and the public consumption of imagery.