Engelen doden de troepen van Sanherib 1693

Editor: Okay, next up we have "Engelen doden de troepen van Sanherib," or "Angels Slaying the Troops of Sennacherib," created in 1693 by Samuel Bottschild. It's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. This intricate drawing in ink, I'm immediately struck by its frenetic energy and almost overwhelming composition. It feels both epic and intimate. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: Ah, Bottschild! He's wrestling with divine intervention here, isn't he? The Baroque loved these swirling scenes, full of drama and dynamic diagonals. It's more than just angels killing soldiers. It’s about that moment when human strength fails, and something… other… steps in. Almost operatic, wouldn’t you say? See how he uses light and shadow? It’s a visual poem about helplessness met by power from on high, really. I wonder, do you find it comforting, or unsettling? Editor: Unsettling, definitely! All that detail… I keep getting drawn to the faces of the soldiers. They’re not idealized; they look genuinely terrified. It’s not just about good triumphing over evil. What's with the script on the lower left part? Is that related to the story? Curator: Absolutely! It references the biblical passage, you know, where divine power intervenes when human assistance is lacking. And that inscription underlines Bottschild’s main message: the helplessness of earthly armies against celestial force. Maybe it's a tad propagandistic even! It’s easy to forget how powerful the church was at that time! But still I like how the human element almost makes you doubt. Editor: Propagandistic art; I see what you mean. It adds a new layer. Thinking about it now, it reminds us of both divine might, and our frailty as mortals. It's less about an angelic victory and more about human defeat. That final point makes you pause and reflect; I love it. Thanks. Curator: And thank you for nudging me to look beyond the "heavenly hosts," that is where art thrives! There are more dimensions beyond face value!