Atlas Turned into a Mountain 1606

Editor: This etching by Antonio Tempesta, “Atlas Turned into a Mountain,” shows quite the dramatic scene. I'm struck by the winged horse – talk about an exit! What do you make of the transformation and the fleeing figure? Curator: For me, it’s the sheer injustice that grabs me. Atlas, punished for inhospitable behavior – a rather human flaw, wouldn't you say? – is turned into the very thing he stood on: a mountain. A permanent burden. Editor: So, it's less about the magic and more about the moral? Curator: Exactly! It’s about the weight of consequence, visualized with this breathtaking, almost absurd, image. Don't you find it incredibly evocative? Editor: Absolutely! It gives a new perspective on classic myths. Thanks for that insight!