Arion op de dolfijn 1650

Pieter Nolpe created this print, *Arion op de dolfijn,* sometime around 1650. It depicts Arion, a Greek poet and musician, rescued at sea by a dolphin. Prints like this one were critical in disseminating classical stories and values throughout 17th-century Europe. Arion’s story speaks to the power of music and poetry to transcend social boundaries and even influence the natural world. But it also has an emotional resonance. Nolpe’s engraving reflects the anxieties of a society deeply connected to the sea for trade and survival, representing a longing for protection. Arion, often depicted as a figure of male beauty, defies the dangers of the sea, saved by the unexpected kindness of a dolphin. This image speaks to the unpredictable nature of both the sea and human fate. It underscores the reliance on nature, and perhaps even a divine power, during a period of maritime exploration and its inherent risks.