Lucht 1547 - 1622

Curator: Philips Galle produced this engraving, titled "Lucht," sometime between 1547 and 1622. What do you make of it? Editor: A flock of feathered creatures framed by Baroque scrolls! It's immediately dense, ornamented—and, honestly, a little overwhelming. Like a page torn from a beautifully illustrated bestiary. Curator: "Lucht" translates to "Air," and Galle presents an allegorical representation of that element. Editor: Ah, the symbolism is thick in the air then. We have the central female figure surrounded by... well, just about every bird imaginable. She's even holding a bird—is that a duckling? The dove on her head... all potent iconography here. Curator: The dove is certainly significant. But consider the context. This was an era grappling with scientific exploration. Allegories served to connect classical knowledge with the natural world. Air, as an element, could be depicted through its inhabitants. Editor: So, these birds aren't just pretty decorations; they're symbols contributing to the concept of 'Air.' But even with this many birds... the composition still feels very grounded. All these lines of scrolling cartouche and ornament...it feels very earthy, surprisingly enough. Curator: I find myself questioning, were these birds chosen purely for their symbolic value? The inclusion of an owl, a peacock, a rooster—each has distinct cultural baggage. Editor: The owl—a symbol of wisdom and hidden knowledge, is set next to what seems to be a Turkey! Now there is an unexpected allegory. Could Galle be slyly commenting on worldly and more...domesticated wisdom? Curator: Perhaps he's subtly playing with the notion of air as both the limitless expanse and the very air we breathe, confined, immediate, earthly? Editor: I see your point. It is like capturing a piece of something inherently limitless in a very fixed, intentional form. It strikes me that an allegory is like trying to capture an ephemeral concept like air into something graspable like printed ink. Thank you—something very clever is indeed up in the air!