Philosopher Seated, with Globe, Book, and Compass 

Editor: Here we have “Philosopher Seated, with Globe, Book, and Compass,” an etching by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. There's a feeling of contemplation in this print, all these tools of knowledge swirling around the figure, yet the figure is set against a wispy and undefined landscape. What jumps out to you when you see this work? Curator: What jumps out? Well, firstly the sheer volume of thought compressed into that space. Look how Tiepolo renders light! See that scholar hunched over his texts, the world quite literally at his elbow, and that snake coiled around the staff, whispering secrets of Aesculapius. Is he discovering the secrets of the universe, or is it slowly weighing down on him, this constant seeking? Editor: I never even noticed the snake! Do you think the somewhat faded style helps contribute to the feeling of weight and age? It is an old work but also gives the impression that it might be something found tucked away in a dusty attic somewhere. Curator: Absolutely! That slightly faded look pulls us into the scene. The soft lines of the etching allows Tiepolo to hint at details, implying them, instead of spelling them out directly, that is up to our interpretation and makes it fresh for each viewer. Is that what is in his mind? Is that our past? Editor: So it invites us to do some intellectual archaeology, ourselves. That is something that I can definitely appreciate. Thanks for that wonderful thought! Curator: Likewise, it is amazing to think a work that is silent on the surface can invite us to engage and reflect within our mind and memories, hopefully everyone can leave with a refreshed thought.