Sol (the Sun) c. 1570 - 1581

Curator: Okay, let’s talk about "Sol," or "the Sun," a bronze sculpture made around 1570-1581 by Johan Gregor van der Schardt. It’s here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Whoa, the sun's out, guns out! He’s all gleaming bronze, totally in his element. My first thought? A rock star about to toss a guitar pick into the crowd. That lion at his feet seems equally impressed, like the ultimate fan. Curator: Precisely! That lion isn't just there for decoration. It is an ancient solar symbol, representing strength and courage, often linked to royalty and the sun. And "Sol" isn't merely a depiction of the sun; it's an allegory of power, enlightenment, and maybe even a bit of divine swagger, all bottled up in bronze. The fact that he has rays emerging from his head feels iconic, as the ultimate source of energy, an almost life-affirming symbol. Editor: Swagger's the word! The artist’s playing with some serious cultural muscle here. A naked god, sunburst halo… you can’t get more overt with symbols than this. It screams 'Look at me, I am the source!’. But something is tickling the back of my mind. How was someone who embodies so much energy so… immobile? Is it because he looks a little melancholy in his own absolute glory? Curator: Ah, that’s Mannerism for you. It's all about stylized drama, an exaggeration of the classical form, creating emotional tension. Instead of just basking in radiant glory, this sun god grapples with it, and the artist portrays a man in control of everything, except himself. Think of it, this lion, so frequently connected to bravery, and control, is docile, while this figure, while also the picture of masculine control, feels burdened and conflicted. He’s a picture of dominance, almost hyper-masculine. Editor: Exactly! That explains that peculiar tension. The whole piece hums with a "yes, but..." feeling. I am all, I can do all… but is it what I wish? It really has to do with what’s beneath the exterior… even when you are as radiant as Sol himself. Fascinating how Van der Schardt folded all that into a hunk of bronze. Curator: Absolutely. This sculpture speaks volumes about its era, a time of immense intellectual and artistic fervor, questioning tradition, and self-discovery. The work shows the inner feelings and ideas in external symbols and objects. Editor: A very Mannerist approach that I definitely recognize, this gives us an interesting and unusual view on the concept of authority and leadership that continues to hold symbolic and cultural importance even today.