Illustratie voor 'Alle de werken' van Lucianus 1679

Editor: Here we have a baroque engraving by Romeyn de Hooghe, from 1679, titled "Illustration for 'All the Works' of Lucian," currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. It feels quite dynamic, packed with figures and movement... Where do you even begin to unpack something like this? Curator: Well, aren’t we lucky? Look closely at how the line work dances and bristles; de Hooghe is clearly having a lot of fun here! For me, it's a fantastic plunge into the imagination, wouldn't you agree? The sheer busyness mirrors Lucian's satirical wit—a complete carnival of gods, mortals, and mythical beasts! What do you make of that Poseidon figure? Editor: He seems so...unconcerned. Almost like he's presenting the chaos to us rather than participating. Curator: Exactly! He’s our guide, or perhaps the master of ceremonies in this absurd play. The detail is just fabulous; the rendering of light, and shadow to imply textures... Notice anything about that flying figure above? Editor: It looks like Pegasus with... someone riding it, maybe? It feels separate from the rest of the scene. Curator: Aha! See it now? De Hooghe seems to invite us to become active viewers rather than simply witnesses! What could he want the observer to become? Editor: I'm not sure, but maybe it's that Lucian himself mocks so many "truths" through playful narrative, suggesting that perhaps, the viewer should feel empowered to consider more fully what they observe, from their own personal point of view! It makes it feel timeless, somehow. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! An astute point, if I may say so myself, about individual truth. Now if you'll excuse me, Pegasus is calling; the carnival continues elsewhere!