Odysseus schiet de pijl door de twaalf ringen 1632 - 1633

Curator: Today, we're looking at "Odysseus Shooting the Arrow Through the Twelve Rings," an engraving made by Theodoor van Thulden around 1632-1633. What strikes you about it initially? Editor: It's raw, isn't it? You can almost feel the tension in the muscles of the archer, and see the labor involved. It lacks the usual baroque flourish. Curator: Precisely. Van Thulden adopts a somewhat classical structure within his broader Baroque style. Notice how he divides the composition into distinct planes, creating a sense of depth and order? The engraving technique itself allows for incredibly fine details, defining each figure with precision. Editor: Yet the roughness contributes so much. The figures, though classical in form, are also laborers. What materials would they have had access to and how skilled they are at using them? I wonder about Van Thulden’s own access to resources. Curator: The subject itself is of great significance. The scene depicts the climactic moment in Homer's Odyssey when Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, proves his true identity by completing the seemingly impossible task. It speaks of triumph through skill and cunning, a demonstration of the protagonist's return to form. Consider the way Van Thulden highlights the geometry of the composition – circles, rectangles and diagonals– enhancing the significance of Odysseus precise shot. Editor: I agree but look how grounded the people are too, the materiality of their cloaks and their very solidness. Odysseus doesn’t win simply because he is king, he has worked to build the strength to draw the bow, which in itself would have been a valued object made by experienced hands. The social order relies as much on work as divinity, if you see what I mean. Curator: That reading provides an important nuance. We might perceive this image merely as glorifying one individual's triumph but it suggests the values required of those seeking power or recognition. It underlines that even mythical strength arises from tangible practices. Editor: The engraving’s power is its capacity to intertwine material reality and abstract ideas of fate. I am glad that we were able to view this image and consider Van Thulden's capacity to demonstrate not just technical skill but deeper meanings. Curator: I concur; seeing it from a point of structure and also production has provided a richer and complex picture to appreciate.