Spring 1730

Curator: This etching, titled "Spring," was created by Johann Georg Bergmüller. Bergmüller, who lived from 1688 to 1762, left us this small, yet densely populated plate. Editor: My first impression is one of chaotic energy—a flurry of figures seemingly suspended in mid-air. It feels almost overwhelming. Curator: It reflects the Baroque fascination with dynamism. We see a confluence of classical and allegorical figures which were popular at the time. The imagery represents the season of Spring through classical imagery. Editor: The bull and the ram strike me. The bull, a common symbol, represents Taurus, a sign of the zodiac associated with the season. The ram does so as well. It's interesting how these symbols intertwine with the rest of the figures. Curator: Bergmüller's "Spring" speaks to the power of art to reflect the values of its time. Editor: It definitely makes you think about how we visualize and celebrate seasonal change, doesn't it? The piece blends myth and nature.