Fall of the Giants c. 17th century

Editor: This is Salvator Rosa's "Fall of the Giants," an etching rendered in ink. There's a swirling chaos to it, a sense of dramatic struggle. What symbols or narratives do you see at play here? Curator: Consider the giants themselves – monstrous figures representing primal chaos and rebellion against divine order. Their fall isn't just a physical defeat, but a symbolic one. What lasting themes about authority or societal order might Rosa be hinting at? Editor: So it's about more than just a story; it's about challenging power. Curator: Exactly. Rosa uses the visual language of mythology to tap into deeper anxieties about societal upheaval and the consequences of defying established norms. Notice the gestures, the expressions—they are universal languages of anguish. Editor: That adds layers to my understanding. Thanks.