Roeping van Filips II 1867

Curator: Here we have Eugène Smits' "Calling of Philip II," an etching on paper completed around 1867. It depicts Philip II in what appears to be a moment of quiet contemplation. Editor: Quiet, maybe, but laced with this incredible tension! The way he's perched on that little stool, the flickering light, it's all so…precarious. It feels like a dream, but a really anxious one. Curator: The historical context here is key. Philip II ruled during a tumultuous time in the Netherlands. Smits, creating this image much later, taps into the legacy—the burden—of that rule. Look at the somber tone, the heavy shadows. This wasn't just a portrait; it was a commentary. Editor: Definitely a loaded atmosphere. He looks isolated, even though he's seemingly awaiting instruction...Is that supposed to be an angel on top of that stake? The way the artist rendered it gives it the creepiest effect! It has an otherworldly, almost malevolent feel about it. I can almost hear the wind howling around him. Curator: Right. And that connects to the artistic conventions of the Romantic period. While technically proficient in capturing likeness, Smits prioritizes emotion, dramatic lighting, and a sense of historical gravitas over strict realism. The print medium, etching, was well suited for achieving the precise level of details he uses here to set the scene for such events. Editor: It's those details that grab you, isn't it? Like, the way his gaze is fixed…is it resolve? Fear? And that fire almost seems to be taunting him, not warming him. I wonder if Smits felt some sympathy for the devil himself... Curator: Sympathy is a strong word! But yes, the artist certainly invites a more nuanced understanding of a figure typically portrayed in a purely negative light within the Low Countries' collective memory. It's a visual representation of the weight of power, a comment on duty, and perhaps on destiny itself. Editor: It really sticks with you, doesn't it? Even as a small, dark etching, it conjures something huge, a whole historical saga playing out in this guy's head, or just out of frame! Thanks for helping unlock it a little. Curator: It's been a pleasure; hopefully, this glimpse encourages you to think critically about the stories embedded within the art we encounter every day.