Dood van Procris c. 1636 - 1670

Editor: This engraving, "Death of Procris" by Magdalena van de Passe, made sometime between 1636 and 1670, shows a rather dramatic scene. A nude woman reclines while a man leans over her, and in the background, there are figures near a fire. I find it somewhat unsettling – how do you interpret this work, considering the time it was made and the social context? Curator: Well, thinking about it from a historical perspective, we need to consider how images like these functioned within society. Engravings such as these, circulated widely and cheaply, played a role in disseminating not only classical stories, but also ideas about beauty, morality, and power. Notice the blatant reference to Rubens below the image, who paved the way for the Baroque. This isn't just a story; it is constructing an idea about femininity. Does the depiction of a nude woman, potentially vulnerable, within a dramatic scene, challenge or reinforce existing power dynamics? Editor: It does make you wonder. The text at the bottom seems important too; a claim that jealousy is bad for the health... So it seems a moral lesson? But how are viewers in that period invited to receive or even act on it? Curator: Exactly. Are they meant to sympathize with Procris, or see her death as a cautionary tale? Furthermore, where does this print appear? Was it part of a larger series or intended for a book? Those publication circumstances would significantly influence its reception. If you analyze the location in more detail you’ll notice she is almost consumed into the overgrowth of the wild... almost as if it is the 'natural' state of all women at the time. Editor: I hadn't thought of the impact of circulation and placement. It makes you realise this engraving is a complex cultural object rather than a straightforward illustration of a story. Thank you, this really gives a new insight. Curator: Indeed, it shows how a simple image can carry significant cultural weight and be a tool for disseminating dominant beliefs and practices. There's more than meets the eye.