Narcissus en Echo 1731

Curator: This is Bernard Picart’s 1731 engraving, "Narcissus en Echo," currently residing at the Rijksmuseum. It depicts the tragic myth, a poignant moment of unrequited love and vanity. Editor: The density of lines creates such a rich, almost somber mood. It's intriguing how a flat surface can convey depth through the sheer labor of etching. Curator: Picart skillfully employs Baroque drama. See how Echo is relegated to the shadowy depths of the cave, a visual representation of her fading voice and being. Editor: Absolutely. And notice the intricate frame. It's part of the printed object itself, highlighting the crafted nature. You can feel the pressure of the plate, the hand guiding the burin… What does that border tell us about this piece's consumption? Curator: It tells us about the piece's integration within 18th-century print culture, echoing classical motifs, reminding us of the story’s roots. The frame suggests the way that mythical narratives permeated elite intellectual life at the time, serving as both decorative element and cultural signifier. The very tale of Echo’s repeating words – how resonant must this myth have been, in societies keen on memorization, repeating ancient texts! Editor: Right, not mass media necessarily but a highly crafted, intentionally reproducible item. And think of the physical act – the copper, the acid, the press. These materials ground a very airy, ethereal tale. Curator: The material process does give tangible form to the psychological drama. Narcissus stares, captivated by his reflection. He embodies self-obsession, foreshadowing doom—the narcissus flower springing from where he dies. The engraving traps a moment between human consciousness and natural cycle. Editor: It really highlights how even mythical narratives are brought to life, through physical processes, tools, materials. The ink leaves its mark and so do the myths in our cultural memory. Curator: Exactly! The material and mythical forever intertwined!