Bacchus in zijn wagen 1652 - 1707

Editor: We’re looking at "Bacchus in zijn wagen," or "Bacchus in his chariot," an etching made by Franz Ertinger between 1652 and 1707. It’s a flurry of figures and lines, chaotic almost, but with a distinct energy. What's your take? Curator: Chaos can be incredibly revealing, can't it? I see this piece as an allegory for the uninhibited expression and the transgression of societal norms, that’s at the heart of Bacchic festivals. Note the state of revelry the figures are in - what norms do you think are being defied here? Editor: Well, everyone is nude, for starters. There's definitely a sense of abandon in their poses. Is it simply about letting loose? Curator: It is that, but also perhaps a reclaiming of the body, right? Think about the context in which this piece was made; a time of rigid social hierarchies. Representing nakedness can be a way to undermine those structures and express primal liberation. How do you think the medium itself, printmaking, contributes to this message? Editor: Because prints allow for wider circulation and make the artwork more accessible to the masses? Curator: Exactly! Print becomes a democratizing tool, challenging elitist notions of art consumption. Consider the figures in the background versus Bacchus in the foreground. Do you think there is any intersectional critique occurring here? Editor: Hmm, Bacchus appears to be the focal point; so he holds the power in the composition. But there is also strength to be found in a group… Curator: Precisely, each group can symbolize or reject the current social constructs based on your experience. This piece encourages us to acknowledge that transgressing norms and celebrating difference becomes vital for the health and progress of a society. Editor: This piece certainly has more to say than just "party time!" Thanks for sharing that perspective. Curator: Likewise. Art is always political when we acknowledge whose voices get amplified, and whose are silenced.