Jeremiah's Last Meeting with King Zedekiah c. 1585

Curator: This is Anton Wierix II's "Jeremiah's Last Meeting with King Zedekiah", a striking piece, even if we don't know exactly when it was created. Editor: Wow, it's giving me serious melancholic vibes. The king looks so defeated, even with all that gold trim. Curator: Well, the print illustrates a pivotal biblical moment. Jeremiah warns Zedekiah of Jerusalem's impending doom, a consequence of his disobedience. It's a political and spiritual crisis. Editor: You can almost feel the weight of the prophecy in the air. The dog lying at their feet seems to sense it too, just radiating despair. I wonder if it's a metaphor for loyalty or maybe just a really bummed-out pet. Curator: I'd say it's a symbol of the natural world recognizing the gravity of the situation. Wierix uses such domestic details to amplify the narrative. Editor: It's funny how something so old can still stir up so much sadness. Curator: Absolutely; it speaks to the timeless human struggle against fate and authority.