Samuël zalft Saul tot koning Possibly 1585 - 1702

Curator: The ink practically vibrates off the page in this engraving, “Samuel Anoints Saul as King." It’s attributed to Jan van Londerseel, and thought to be made sometime between 1585 and 1702. Editor: Whoa, dense! A whole lotta detail squeezed into this monochrome world. It feels like stumbling into a hidden grove where serious business is going down, though everything is so overwhelmingly green, or grayscale in this instance. Curator: Indeed, that detailed density contributes to its baroque style. You have this foreground scene of Samuel, identifiable by his pouring gesture—that's the anointing—set against an expansive landscape background filled with trees, water, and a distant town. Editor: Right. The light plays across all those leaves like a mischievous imp. It almost overpowers the two main figures. What's interesting is the way the trees both frame and swallow them. This emphasizes their relationship with the wider world around them. Curator: Precisely. Londerseel uses the landscape not just as backdrop, but as an active participant. Consider the symbolism. We see water representing purification, and the forest might be viewed as a space for transformation. It highlights that this is an intimate event yet carries wider historical ramifications. Editor: And then there is the distant town in the middle. Is it Saul's future seat, perhaps? And Saul does not seem overly pleased. His whole pose suggests unease— a guy probably happier out of the spotlight, like maybe he preferred minding the sheep. He certainly doesn’t appear ready to carry the burden of kingship! Curator: That is the skill of a narrative-historical scene. It is more than just pageantry but complex relationships depicted. One imagines Londerseel carefully composing this visual staging. The contrast between dark foliage and brighter skies reinforces a story about change. Editor: Right. Change, maybe even a heavy premonition hanging in those branches. You see a simple story on the surface but those swirling skies and teeming foliage make the moment heavy. Well, that’s a forest fit for a king or an exile. Either one sounds intense. Curator: A suitable reflection, indeed, capturing its multi-layered essence.