Geboorte van Bacchus 1616 - 1657

Curator: What a dramatic piece. My initial reaction is a feeling of turbulent energy. It's chaotic yet purposeful, filled with contrasting figures and elements. Editor: Yes, it's certainly dynamic. We're looking at "The Birth of Bacchus" by Pieter Serwouters, created sometime between 1616 and 1657. It’s an engraving held here at the Rijksmuseum. The sharp lines convey incredible movement. My eye is drawn to how the fire seems almost palpable, yet it’s rendered simply through the skillful manipulation of lines and varying tonal values. Curator: The myth itself is charged with questions of legitimacy and divine power. Semele, consumed by divine fire, tricked by Hera, gives birth prematurely to Bacchus. Zeus rescues the infant, sewing him into his thigh until he’s ready to be born again. It challenges normative power structures. It raises ideas about patriarchal systems absorbing and rewriting female experiences for their own perpetuation. Editor: Absolutely. The physicality of that act—Zeus carrying Bacchus and essentially gestating him—points to the extraordinary effort, or even labour, involved in claiming Bacchus. It makes me think about the reproductive labor of the Gods, their power to physically transform matter into the living form we see here. Notice the detail in Zeus's garment and crown compared to Semele and the surrounding figures; such a visual distinction speaks to an uneven social and labor landscape between genders and classes. Curator: Precisely. The composition, with Semele collapsing amidst the flames and Zeus ascending, safe and strong, is deeply symbolic. The themes touch on immortality, resurrection, but I am struck by this theme of the patriarchal reclamation of a specifically female generative power. What could the fire itself signify? Is it a purifying force, a destructive one, or both? Editor: Fire's dual symbolism really adds depth here. As a craftsperson, I am fascinated by the technical prowess displayed through this etching; turning such a chaotic subject with its flames, smoke and fury into organized pen strokes makes the artist into Zeus and his Godly peers manipulating raw materials in real time, too. Curator: This engraving offers a glimpse into the intersection of mythology, gender, and power dynamics of the 17th century. It reminds us to look beyond the surface narratives and examine the societal structures that shaped the creation and interpretation of this, and so many other, artistic achievements. Editor: Ultimately, looking closely at the raw physical and mythological elements within art and life allow us to understand larger cultural narratives about societal values. And in some instances create a space to dismantle that framework, spark dialogue, and construct new understandings and visions for tomorrow.