Daniel's Judgement 16th-17th century

Curator: This engraving is titled "Daniel's Judgement" by Hans Collaert the Younger, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as highly theatrical, almost like a stage set with its receding architectural backdrop and dramatic figures. Curator: Indeed, the work depicts the biblical story of Susanna, falsely accused and saved by Daniel. The architectural setting acts as a patriarchal space, one where Susanna is vulnerable to the male gaze and power. Editor: The lines! Notice how Collaert masterfully uses hatching to create both depth and texture, particularly in the drapery. It’s all about the surface, the interplay of light and shadow. Curator: But it's about more than just surface. Susanna’s plight reflects the power dynamics and gender inequalities that are still relevant today. It's a narrative of female vulnerability within systems of male dominance. Editor: Perhaps. But can't we appreciate its formal qualities, like its dynamic composition and the way the artist directs our eye through the scene, without overtly politicizing it? Curator: I would argue the political is intrinsic, not imposed. The very act of representing this story engages with historical and ongoing debates about justice and gender. Editor: Well, regardless, the engraving certainly offers a compelling study of line and form. Curator: And it provides a stark reflection on the narratives of power and injustice that persist through time.