Mannelijke god, mogelijk Aeolus, zittend op met lucht gevulde blaas waar wind uit waait en bewoners en dieren op de Noordpool 1648 - 1665

Cornelis van Dalen II created this artwork of a male god, possibly Aeolus, sitting on an air-filled bladder, from which wind blows, using etching techniques. The composition presents a striking contrast: Aeolus is rendered in dynamic action above, while scenes of Arctic life unfold below, with a blank cartouche in the center. The artist uses strong diagonal lines, from the god's posture to the hunters' bows, creating a sense of tension. This tension is heightened by the contrast in textures, from the smooth skin of Aeolus to the rough fur of the Arctic animals. Van Dalen’s semiotic system of wind and wilderness invites reflection. Aeolus, the god of wind, represents a force of nature, while the Arctic scene embodies a remote, unfamiliar world. The blank space might challenge fixed meanings, inviting viewers to consider their relationship to both the natural world and the classical mythology. Ultimately, the etching functions as a cultural artifact that prompts interpretation, encouraging us to examine the interplay of power, nature, and representation.