Overwinning op de Assyriërs 1585

Curator: This dynamic pen drawing, created by Jan Snellinck in 1585, is entitled "Overwinning op de Assyriërs," which translates to "Victory over the Assyrians." It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. It feels frenetic to me—chaotic. Editor: Immediately, my eye is drawn to the dense, almost overwhelming composition. The way Snellinck employs hatching and cross-hatching creates a real sense of movement. Curator: Absolutely, and that movement really reflects the drama inherent in the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes. Look at how the fleeing Assyrians, panicked by the death of their general, are rendered with a sense of terror. Holofernes’ death triggers a total collapse. You see not just an immediate military defeat, but the breakdown of the whole. Editor: Notice the Mannerist elements: the elongated figures and somewhat exaggerated poses. The formal landscape in the distance has its own geometric pattern of order. Curator: It's important to understand that such images were potent. The story of Judith resonated deeply, becoming a symbol of virtue triumphing over tyranny, but its symbolism went deeper—representing female courage but, most broadly, the idea of deliverance from overwhelming odds. Editor: And there’s an undeniable tension between the high-minded subject matter and the highly stylised almost playful depiction. The engraving itself shows exquisite mastery in the handling of the burin; these fine lines really bring the subject to life. Curator: You see the engraver really understands how these figures participate within a long and influential narrative tradition. This work reminds us of our enduring need for stories that give form to victory—a celebration of human agency and strength, the weak confounding the strong. Editor: From my side, the sheer level of detail, and especially how this has been achieved with a metal tool on the printing plate, never ceases to amaze. Every single stroke contributes towards making it an exciting and energetic creation.