Urania 1740

Curator: Here we have Bernard Picart’s 1740 engraving, “Urania,” now residing here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: You know, it's funny, at first glance, I thought she looked like she was holding up traffic! Like a very poised, historical crossing guard. Curator: More than likely, the upraised hand, which holds a garland of stars, directs our gaze skyward. Urania, after all, is the Muse of astronomy. In classical allegories of this type, a female figure often represents abstract ideas, reinforcing specific societal and cultural values. Editor: Absolutely. I love how grounded she looks even while her job is stargazing. The globe beneath her arm, she's firmly rooted in earthly matters. Sort of like, "Dream big, but pay your taxes, kids.” The overall feel reminds me a little of old book illustrations... sort of mythical, but also very concrete. Curator: Right. Let's consider the historical context. This print reflects a period heavily influenced by both the Baroque and the Enlightenment. Think of this Baroque visual drama alongside the rise of scientific thought, impacting not just art, but social hierarchies, the very definition of knowledge and power. Editor: That globe...the attention to detail on that sphere feels particularly crucial. There's such precision there, it contrasts with the wispy branches of the tree, creating a pleasing tension. And then, you notice it is right next to her! Makes it seems that Urania herself made all this geographical progress possible! Curator: Yes, there’s definitely an empowerment aspect. The engraving is on ink and paper, inexpensive media, but the very distribution of these printed images allowed new audiences to participate in intellectual life of the 18th Century. Did it redistribute power? To some extent. It broadened the landscape of thinking. Editor: Thinking about it all... Urania sits there, queen of the skies but also down to Earth, maybe reminding us that the biggest dreams and ideas have consequences and can lead to very real change on our actual planet. Pretty awesome. Curator: Indeed, the beauty of art lies in its capacity to be many things to many people. That’s why I enjoy reflecting about its many cultural, societal and historical ties.