The colossus of Rhodes 17th century

Editor: So, here we have a 17th-century engraving titled "The Colossus of Rhodes," by an anonymous artist, here at the SMK. It feels grand, almost theatrical, with all those figures looking up at this…sun god, right? I'm curious—what do you see in this piece, beyond the obvious scale? Curator: Theatrical, absolutely! It's got a real "stage-set" quality. Look how the city rises around the Colossus, like painted backdrops framing the central figure. But more than just scale, it's about ambition. The Colossus, a wonder of the ancient world, became a symbol of human hubris. Know that it was toppled by an earthquake less than a century after its construction. Doesn't the artist cleverly juxtapose it with the solid, almost claustrophobic, mass of soldiers on the left? It's almost a challenge - who will be victorious in their age? Editor: That's a good point, the earthquake… the soliders versus hubris… It’s definitely not a straightforward celebration then? Curator: Never is! And it makes you think: What happens when those seemingly invincible armies on the left meet their inevitable earthquake? Is it inevitable that every "grand" scheme crumbles in time? What cup do you see him carrying in his raised arm, it’s blowing a smoky mist. Is this victory…or does it cloud reason and awareness? The artist leaves plenty of room for questions, doesn't it? It whispers a potent question about impermanence in your ear, doesn't it? Editor: Wow. I hadn’t thought about it like that. All that grandeur… destined for the same fate. I guess history is filled with similar stories. Thanks, I really got a lot from that! Curator: Indeed! It's a timely reminder to embrace humility. What I see now is not grandeur, it's perspective and what history gives us - a great learning tool!