Decoratie op het huis van Henricus van der Souw te Naarden, 1766 1776

Editor: This engraving from 1766, titled "Decoratie op het huis van Henricus van der Souw te Naarden," by Noach van der Meer II, is quite detailed! It's packed with figures in what appears to be a formal garden, almost stage-like. I'm curious, what particularly draws your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: Oh, it's a charming little puzzle box, isn't it? For me, it’s the collision of the earthly and the heavenly. Down below, you've got this rather rigid, almost theatrical scene of earthly authority. Up above, a riot of heavenly beings tumbling through the clouds! Notice the banner, a literal connection being forged between the divine and this earthly dwelling. Makes you wonder, what’s *really* being celebrated here? Editor: So, it's less about literal representation and more about allegorical meaning? I hadn't considered the celestial part in so much depth. Curator: Precisely! Think about what homes represented then – status, lineage, belonging. By linking van der Souw's house to divine favour, the artist makes quite the statement. And what do *you* make of that dragon perched on the miniature mountain? Editor: Good catch! I missed that entirely! With the beams of light almost acting like a stage spotlight it seems to highlight how powerful a statement is made. It suggests this family and this house were seen as especially favoured, a belief reinforced by all the symbolism. I guess I was viewing it too literally at first. Curator: Isn't that the joy of art? Always another layer to peel back. And perhaps, just perhaps, a little wry humour on the artist's part too! Editor: Definitely gives a great foundation and background to appreciate what the artwork has to offer.