Ochtend 1713 - 1766

Curator: This print, titled "Ochtend," was created by Jakob Wangner sometime between 1713 and 1766. Editor: The composition immediately strikes me—two distinct but thematically connected vignettes, rendered with impressive delicacy. It’s quite formal, wouldn’t you say? Curator: Absolutely. It employs allegory prominently. We see Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth, on the left, balanced by Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, on the right. The Baroque flourishes add to the overall sense of grandeur. Editor: Note the stark difference in their presentation. Vesta appears softer, more domestic, even maternal in her positioning, with classical ornamentation. Conversely, Minerva is sharp, angular, and carries implications of state power and military strength, her ornamentation likewise leaning towards martial themes. It’s all in the formal articulation of form. Curator: Precisely. These details speak volumes about 18th-century society’s expectations and understanding of gender roles and responsibilities. Vesta’s association with the domestic sphere is contrasted by Minerva, who represents power on a broader social and political stage. Editor: This duality feels central. Observe how the lines form closed and separate loops that invite, no doubt deliberately, an examination of contrast. But why employ framing them this way at all? Curator: These framed scenes likely adorned something of a civic purpose. The precise function eludes definitive proof, yet the artist here has constructed powerful, allegorical ideals for the consideration and implementation within society. Editor: Well, I find the emphasis on line, the meticulous engraving, and the overall structural balance, create a very effective visual device. Even as ideals drift in societies across centuries, the elegance endures. Curator: A powerful image whose clarity and grace linger long after our encounter ends.