Nimrod laat de Toren van Babel bouwen Possibly 1585 - 1702

Editor: Here we have Jan van Londerseel’s "Nimrod laat de Toren van Babel bouwen", likely made between 1585 and 1702, a print depicting the Tower of Babel. It's incredibly detailed, and it feels very critical of ambition, somehow. What's your interpretation of this piece? Curator: This engraving compels us to reflect on power dynamics and societal structures, doesn't it? Look at the concentration of labor in the foreground supporting the colossal tower, which looms over the rest of the city like a symbol of unchecked authority. How does it make you feel, knowing the story it depicts? Editor: Uneasy, I guess. The tower dominates everything, and yet the story is about its inevitable failure. All that effort, for what? Curator: Precisely. Consider the historical context, a time of religious conflict and expanding empires. This image serves as a cautionary tale against the perils of centralized power and the suppression of diverse voices. Think about the many different languages the Bible says sprung from the tower's fall - in your view, how are social divisions represented? Editor: In the figures… they're all contributing to the same project but look separate, almost like distinct groups within the same system, with the tower looming in the background like some shared delusion they can't see. Curator: An astute observation! The visual hierarchy reinforces that—those in power literally elevated while those doing the labor are at ground level. It is an allegory, isn't it, for all those projects—then and now—built on the backs of exploited people? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, but now I can definitely see the connection. It makes the work even more relevant today, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. By examining the past, we gain critical insights into the present, allowing us to challenge systems of oppression and advocate for a more equitable future. Editor: This has given me so much to think about! I’ll never look at this story the same way.