Libische Sibille 1615

Editor: Here we have Magdalena van de Passe's "Libische Sibille," an engraving from 1615, residing in the Rijksmuseum. There's something so delicate about this, like a captured moment of quiet contemplation, even in this old style. What are your initial thoughts when you look at it? Curator: Well, isn't she intriguing? It’s almost like stumbling upon a whispered secret. This Sibyl, touched by divine inspiration, but seemingly burdened by its weight, is just fascinating to me. The lines dance and give her form. Do you get a sense of her conflicting emotions, caught between her sacred duty and a very human weariness? Editor: I do. It’s in her eyes, I think. Almost like she is looking sadly towards the future she sees, perhaps. Curator: Precisely! Van de Passe does such a remarkable job capturing the very essence of foresight... but at what cost? She holds a spear with confidence, yes? But if you zoom in on her hand that isn't holding the spear you'll see its gripping soft material with uncertainty and dread! That tiny detail gets me every time, knowing these sibyls delivered prophesies with often tragic undertones, a mix of privilege and burden that Van de Passe manages to poignantly illustrate. What I find striking about engravings of this era, even more than painted portraits, is the immediate link to the world around at that time. Editor: So, this piece really embodies the complexity and emotional ambiguity of the Sibyl figure. Thank you, I really appreciate this, I feel I have a more insightful view of the piece! Curator: My pleasure. It’s about finding those little gateways into a piece, and perhaps unlocking a door inside ourselves too.