Gezicht op het kasteel van San Felipe in Minorca 1756

Editor: Here we have A.J. Defehrt's 1756 engraving, "Gezicht op het kasteel van San Felipe in Minorca"– or "View of the castle of San Felipe in Minorca." The old engraving style gives it such a timeless feel; it's as though you are looking through a portal in time! How do you interpret this work? Curator: Time travel, eh? I like that. For me, looking at this, I think of narratives. Not just the story within the frame – the busy port, the imposing fort – but also the layers of history baked into Minorca, the strategic tug-of-war over this island. Look at the details - those boats, they’re vital arteries, connecting empires. Does that history resonate when you look at it? Editor: Definitely! The boats are small but essential, you're right! But I was mainly focused on the clouds above! Are they relevant, or am I projecting? Curator: Oh, project away! Art is *made* for projection. I mean, the clouds… they could just be clouds, adding depth. Or, given the political climate in 1756 – England and France were battling for control – perhaps they hint at a brewing storm, reflecting the uncertainty of the era. The beauty of art, after all, lies in how we individually process it through our own clouds of perception, what do you think? Editor: It's amazing how much history can be wrapped up in a cityscape! This conversation really opened my eyes to the layers of meaning within this piece. Curator: Mine too! I always appreciate fresh perspectives, as they stir the pot and remind me how much more there is to perceive and feel within each and every image.