Cybele 1633 - 1692

This is Cornelis Bloemaert’s engraving, Cybele. Notice the composition of the engraving which is filled with allegorical figures and symbols, creating a dense and active tableau. The scene is structured around the central figure of Cybele, the ancient Phrygian mother of all Gods, who is being pulled in a chariot by lions, an unconventional and potent image. The artist has used line work to define form and texture. Bloemaert masterfully uses hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variations, giving depth and volume to the figures and objects. The semiotic analysis reveals a structured set of cultural codes intended to convey messages about power, divinity, and the natural world. Elements such as the lions, eagle and architectural setting were intended to be interpreted, reinforcing the cultural values and knowledge of the period. Bloemaert's focus on structure and detail elevates this engraving beyond mere representation. It functions as a complex visual statement deeply rooted in cultural and philosophical ideas.