Eglon, de Koning der Moabiten wordt dood gevonden c. 1664 - 1728

Curator: This print by Adriaen Haelwegh, made sometime between 1664 and 1728, depicts the death of Eglon, King of the Moabites. Editor: Wow, what a dramatic scene. It’s like a stage play frozen in time. The sheer panic on everyone’s faces – I'm getting Shakespearean vibes here. So chaotic and dark. Curator: Absolutely. The composition adheres to a theatrical Baroque style. If we think about how stories are told visually, it presents an interesting perspective on power, betrayal, and resistance in relation to the Biblical narrative. Editor: Resist… ance? More like total mayhem! The guy in the foreground scrambling on the floor—what's his deal? Looks like he lost something. And is that a tiny dog in the background running away? Comedy and tragedy rolled into one… Curator: Well, consider that Haelwegh likely engaged with historical and social commentaries of his time. The print reveals the complex politics that were often intertwined with religion, specifically referencing the Book of Judges. Editor: True, it's definitely layered. The details are incredible. You almost forget the…stabbing. By the way, Eglon does NOT look like a happy camper lying there. Curator: No, hardly! It serves as a morality lesson of sorts and underscores how artists depicted these epic events through print, granting wider access to narratives about politics and religious beliefs. Editor: You know, seeing all those expressive gestures, I bet this print sparked some lively debates back then. Like, what does it *really* mean to be betrayed by a houseplant...or stabbed with an especially pointy blade. Curator: The scene’s interpretive potential is fascinating from cultural and art-historical lenses. Viewing art, for me, necessitates grappling with past viewpoints, especially where violence and religious implications are concerned. Editor: Yeah, I totally get that. I’m left wondering who gets to write history and frame the narrative…and I need a drink now. Maybe not from that fancy chalice lying next to Eglon, though. Bad luck written all over that thing.