Reuk c. 1578 - 1678

Editor: This engraving, titled "Reuk," is attributed to Johannes Eillarts, made sometime between 1578 and 1678. It has this striking domestic scene – a couple, a dog, flowers… There's a subtle tension that I can’t quite place. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The allure of "Reuk" lies precisely in that tension, doesn’t it? On the surface, it's an intimate portrait of domesticity. But consider the symbols. He presents her a rose; its sweetness veils thorns. Editor: Oh, that’s a good point. The rose appears to be a key symbol, with implications of danger. Curator: Indeed. Note the Latin inscription at the bottom – “Although a flower-filled garden is pleasing to the nostrils, often bitterness lies hidden beneath its sweet fragrance." The pleasure of scent masks a hidden bitterness or danger, wouldn’t you say? Editor: I do! It seems like a warning about deceptive appearances. What about the other floral imagery? She holds a full basket in her lap! Curator: Consider it again: an abundance of beauty can also overwhelm or conceal something. In many cultures, including during the time this was likely made, overflowing flower baskets also carried symbolic weight representing, say, prosperity or perhaps even excessive indulgence. Think about where the bitterness comes from and whether its connection to overabundance. Editor: It really makes me think about how easily beauty can distract us from underlying complexities and darker truths. Thank you for illuminating this image! Curator: And thank you, this reading confirms to me how durable are the images, metaphors and emotions, carried over time.