Foolish coveters! Wisdom is not the weather of Eden. c. 20th century

Curator: Donald Handel’s print, "Foolish coveters! Wisdom is not the weather of Eden," presents an allegorical scene, meticulously etched onto a metal plate. The sheet measures roughly 30 by 25 centimeters. Editor: My first impression is one of intense detail, almost claustrophobic. The composition is divided into distinct registers, each densely populated with figures and patterns. Curator: Handel’s technique, likely an etching or engraving, invites a close examination of the artist’s hand and the laborious process of its making. Look at the linear quality, how it creates texture and depth. Editor: The imagery reads like a layered narrative. The Garden of Eden, a parade of figures, serpentine forms... the work comments on power dynamics and human desire. It reminds me of morality plays from the medieval era. Curator: Right, and consider the social context. The title itself suggests a critique of materialism and a yearning for enlightenment beyond earthly possessions, issues quite relevant in any era. Editor: It's interesting to think about how this small, intricate print could be disseminated and consumed, influencing social thought through imagery and accessible production. Curator: Precisely. Handel’s careful labor invites us to reflect on wisdom, earthly desire, and the means of disseminating ideas.