Tamar 1588 - 1595

Editor: So, here we have "Tamar," an engraving from somewhere between 1588 and 1595 by Jan (II) Collaert, currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. It’s... intriguing. She seems so poised, almost regal, despite the rather… intense subject matter hinted at in the text below. I can't help but feel there’s a story just itching to be told. What's your read on this piece? Curator: Well, you've hit upon something essential – this is storytelling at its finest, visually speaking. Look at her stance, that slightly defiant tilt of the head, the way she grasps the staff. There’s power here, wouldn’t you say? This Tamar isn’t just some passive figure; she’s an agent in her own narrative. And that narrative, of course, pulls from the Book of Genesis, a rather bold move considering the time period, right? Editor: Bold indeed! The armor, the staff, and that knowing look almost contradicts with what I thought I knew of the Genesis story… Curator: Ah, precisely! That's Mannerism for you. The artist plays with expectation, creating a figure ripe for interpretation. And what do you make of those cherubs hiding in the background? Are they in on her scheme, perhaps offering silent encouragement? Or are they just innocent bystanders? Editor: I didn’t even notice them before! I suppose they could add another layer of complexity to the composition, but, I think they show her cunning? The engraving rewards a closer, reflective looking, which is, quite frankly, amazing for a print! Curator: It does, doesn't it? It is through these elements of storytelling we can truly see the narrative in full frame.