Ziel van mijn ziel 1606 - 1611

Curator: Immediately I see dejection, the weight of failed effort perhaps. There's a weariness to the figure in the foreground. Editor: Here we have a pen and ink drawing titled "Ziel van mijn ziel", which roughly translates to "Soul of my soul". It’s from between 1606 and 1611, and attributed to Pieter Serwouters. Curator: The figure I mentioned, clearly Cupid, seems almost to slouch against his own bow, his arrow casually piercing his leg. What symbolic layers are at play here? A self-inflicted wound of love gone awry? Editor: Possibly. In that era, love, particularly in the context of marriage and social standing, was as much a strategic tool as it was an emotional connection. The image could symbolize the pain and conflict arising when love is manipulated for external gain. It should also be viewed in the context of shifting class structures. Do you see the well-dressed individuals dancing merrily? Curator: Yes, almost carelessly joyful in the upper right quadrant. Their mirth appears indifferent to Cupid’s predicament. Editor: And on the left, note the raging fire consuming what appear to be cupid’s arrows or perhaps the tools of his trade, or an idol… Curator: Precisely! An almost aggressive act of… destruction? It's fascinating how Serwouters positions the narrative. The dancing figures almost represent the 'haves,' untouched by Cupid's woes, while the fiery blaze and wounded Cupid embody love’s destructive potential. Editor: Also consider the period during which the artwork was made: religious turmoil. In Dutch art, this period experienced the production and popularization of secular works as the role of the Church diminished. This, and other elements of symbolism in Serwouters’s art, provide clues as to this new vision of Dutch art. Curator: A vital point. And as Cupid slumps, a victim of his own art, perhaps it reflects a society grappling with disillusionment regarding traditional values, the status quo or previously established artistic standards. Editor: The symbolic language speaks to this transitional phase; Pieter Serwouters captures love's capacity to create harmony but also profound discord in this seemingly simple pen drawing. It underscores, even in its smaller scale, art’s continuing relevance and value today. Curator: Indeed, reflecting on the era helps give insight into today’s struggles and achievements, whether or not we want to talk about love or not.