Diana met de maan in haar hand 1528 - 1583

Editor: So, here we have "Diana met de maan in haar hand," or "Diana with the moon in her hand," made sometime between 1528 and 1583 by Etienne Delaune. It's a print, an engraving on metal, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. The detail is incredible for such a small piece. It feels almost… illustrative, like it could be plucked from the pages of a very fancy fairytale. What do you make of it? Curator: Oh, absolutely fairytale-esque! Delaune had a real knack for taking these classical figures and making them feel almost jewel-like. It's Renaissance elegance distilled, isn’t it? But what strikes me is how he's turned Diana, this powerful goddess of the hunt, into a symbol of…privilege, almost. The inscription, "Cum privilegio regis," highlights that. Makes you wonder, doesn't it, who was this print intended for? Imagine it adorning the walls of some nobleman’s study...a little assertion of status masquerading as high art! Editor: I hadn’t considered the social context. I was so caught up in the aesthetic. The way the hounds mirror each other, the balance...it's beautiful. So you're saying this wasn't just art for art’s sake? Curator: Was it ever, truly? Even beauty serves a purpose, my dear! This piece, while undeniably gorgeous, is a whisper of power, a little Renaissance flex. Although, the way Diana gently holds that moon…there’s still a certain…yearning in her gaze. Almost makes you wonder if even goddesses have things they desire, beyond privilege. Editor: That’s fascinating. It changes how I see the piece. I thought it was just a pretty picture, but now I see there are layers of meaning. Thanks for making me rethink it all. Curator: The pleasure's all mine. And isn’t that the magic of art? It lures you in with beauty, then hits you with the feels and the big ideas!