Standbeeld van Jakobus de Meerdere in een nis 1695 - 1714

Editor: We're looking at "Statue of James the Greater in a Niche" created between 1695 and 1714 by Jacobus Harrewijn. It's an engraving. It feels very formal and religious to me; all the Latin really emphasizes that. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: You know, seeing this, I’m immediately transported back in time. I imagine cobblestone streets, the scent of incense, the hushed reverence within grand cathedrals. It’s Baroque, so we’re swimming in detail, but detail used to communicate a very specific message. I wonder if you notice the almost theatrical staging of James? He’s presented as both a sculpture and an active figure, trapped and released by the niche simultaneously! And consider *why* Harrewijn chose to depict him in this way. Does the text beneath, the dedication, offer a clue, perhaps linking his sainthood to the restoration of a sacred space? The clues, much like breadcrumbs, scattered in the margins of history… tantalizing, aren’t they? Editor: That is interesting, like he’s brought to life from the stone! It definitely adds to the drama. And I hadn’t really considered the text as part of the artwork itself. Curator: The text anchors it to a particular moment, a specific act of devotion. Notice those little cherubs flanking the inscription – cheeky witnesses! It's an entire little universe, contained within the print. Editor: So much to unpack from one engraving. I’ll definitely pay more attention to those ‘breadcrumbs’ going forward. Curator: Exactly! It’s about learning to read the visual language. Who knows what other worlds are hiding in plain sight?