Antieke buste van Severus 1678

Editor: This is “Antieke buste van Severus,” an engraving made in 1678 by Etienne Baudet. It depicts an ancient sculpture, rendered with incredibly fine lines. The way the light plays on the folds of the toga and the curls of his hair… it’s amazing to think this was created with just lines on a plate. What do you find particularly striking about this piece? Curator: Striking, isn't it? For me, it's how Baudet manages to capture not just the likeness, but a certain… weariness in the emperor’s eyes. Imagine him, Severus, grappling with the weight of an empire, distilled into stone and then re-imagined through Baudet’s hand. Have you ever wondered what it feels like to live with that kind of burden? This engraving offers us a fleeting glimpse. Also, notice how he has used light and shadow so the bust feels really weighty. It's almost photographic! Editor: That’s such a powerful way to think about it, like the engraving is not just a copy but an interpretation, tinged with Baudet's own feelings. It makes you think about all the layers of time embedded in the image. Curator: Exactly! The past refracted through different lenses, always changing, always revealing new aspects of ourselves and how we connect to the vast, meandering river of time. Perhaps, the past is never truly set in stone! The creative process is a bit like time travel, really. What do you think of that concept? Editor: That is fascinating! It's like each artist, each viewer, adds another layer to the story. Curator: Precisely! Each artist places their own story on top of history. That thought is, like this engraving, etched into my mind. Editor: Well, now I’ll definitely look at engravings in a new light – thinking about how they're these multi-layered conversations across time. Curator: Ah, a new engraving convert! My work here is done.