Woods of Ida 1667

Curator: Matthäus Küsel's print, "Woods of Ida," presents a theatrical scene amidst a meticulously rendered landscape. The etching technique is quite striking. Editor: It feels dreamlike, almost unsettling. Figures arranged like chess pieces, and something fantastical happening up above in the sky. Curator: Exactly! This print showcases the consumption of allegorical performances by privileged audiences. The labor of the artist and printmakers becomes part of the narrative. Editor: I see it more as a portal, a gateway to a forgotten story. The delicate lines and the sheer density of figures create a sense of overflowing imagination. Curator: Perhaps we can agree that these prints served as both a cultural artifact and a commodity. Editor: A commodity wrapped in a dream, indeed.