Frontespiece 1617

Editor: This is "Frontespiece" by Giovanni Luigi Valesio. It's an engraving, so black and white, and just packed with figures. I feel a sense of drama with the angels and the central figure. What do you make of it? Curator: Drama, absolutely! I feel it too. Look at how Valesio uses the banner to divide the heavenly from the earthly. The Virgin is floating in a space with angels, while below, cherubs play with instruments of the Passion, like the cross. It's a poignant contrast, wouldn't you agree? Editor: It is! All the symbolic gestures... I never would have noticed that. Curator: It's all in the details, isn't it? Considering the "Tears of the Virgin" title, it's a powerful scene to unpack. Editor: Definitely. Thanks for pointing out the... earthly details! Curator: My pleasure. Art reveals itself slowly, piece by piece.