Headband: Two Infants with the Arms of France and Navarre 1600 - 1688

Editor: Here we have Claude Mellan's "Headband: Two Infants with the Arms of France and Navarre," created sometime between 1600 and 1688. It's an engraving. I'm really struck by the delicacy of the line work—the detail is incredible. What story do you think Mellan is telling here? Curator: Ah, this little gem! It whispers tales of power and dynasty with cherubic softness. The infants, practically floating, cradle the arms of France and Navarre, their tiny fingers grasping symbols far grander than themselves. It is almost as if a crown is too heavy for just one cherub to carry. Do you notice how the ribbons seem to dance around them? Editor: They do seem to dance! It’s a playful touch considering the serious subject matter. Is it meant to feel optimistic, do you think? Curator: Optimistic, yes, and calculated. Remember, this piece comes from a period steeped in political maneuvering. Every visual element served a purpose. I believe these babes are literally holding up a nation's claims, which may suggest the innocence and vulnerability of a kingdom’s future hopes. The birds feel emblematic of peace, freedom to exist. The symmetry too reinforces the idea of unity. What do you reckon? Editor: That reading makes so much sense! I hadn't considered the infants in that context – more than decoration. I was mostly thinking about what it means to put "Headband" in the title; I thought the infants and the escutcheon compose almost a stage ornament or theatre prop; that is to say, this is an imaginary space in which real struggles play out. Curator: Yes, these kinds of ornamental prints allow us to peek into a bygone era. With all the flourishes in Baroque art it’s sometimes difficult to notice at first. Editor: So true. Well, thanks for sharing your expertise; I see it so differently now. Curator: The pleasure was all mine. To delve into art is to unearth not only history, but also echoes of ourselves.