Mars c. 16th century

Curator: Looking at Theodor de Bry's engraving "Mars", I'm struck by its dreamlike quality, like a classical sculpture emerging from a hazy memory. Editor: Indeed, the imagery is potent, even unsettling. The god of war stands with his back to us, a sword in one hand, a torch in the other, astride a ram and a scorpion, symbols ripe with aggression and destruction. Curator: It's as if de Bry isn't just depicting Mars, but teasing out the raw, primal energy he represents. The composition, the textures... they vibrate with a hidden tension. The halo, juxtaposed with the dark symbols of the zodiac, speaks to the duality within us all. Editor: And notice the banner above him, simply stating "Mars," almost as a proclamation, a primal scream of a title. He embodies not only military prowess but also the fiery passions that drive humanity, both creative and destructive. Curator: Absolutely. I find myself thinking about how these old images continue to resonate, long after their original context is gone. It’s proof of how persistent these symbols are. Editor: It all speaks to our deep-seated fascination with the darker aspects of human nature and power. A fascination that I can feel reverberating through centuries.