Jupiter en Semele 1683 - 1733

Editor: Here we have Bernard Picart’s “Jupiter en Semele,” created sometime between 1683 and 1733. It's a delicate drawing, seemingly a quick sketch in pen, ink, and pencil on toned paper. The scene has a dreamy quality, a certain ethereality. What strikes you most when you look at this piece? Curator: Ethereal is a lovely word for it. For me, it’s the story simmering beneath the surface that bubbles up. We have Jupiter, king of the gods, looming—literally, in the clouds—over Semele. It’s the tale of a mortal woman whose ambition—or perhaps foolishness—led her to demand to see her divine lover in his full glory, a request that, quite literally, consumes her. Editor: So, there’s a definite tension then, even in this sketch. It's not just a pretty picture. Curator: Precisely! Look at Semele’s pose, almost recoiling, even though she seems to be reaching for the canopy. Picart captures that pivotal moment just before everything changes. It makes me think about the danger of unchecked desire and the consequences of not knowing when enough is enough. It makes you wonder, what did Semele *really* want? Did she understand the magnitude of her request? Editor: It’s interesting to think about it that way. I was so focused on the composition, the soft lines and the contrast between Jupiter's power and Semele's vulnerability, but I missed the underlying drama. Curator: That's the joy of art, isn’t it? We all see something different, a little reflection of ourselves perhaps. I love how Picart uses these seemingly light and airy strokes to tell such a heavy tale. A cautionary tale, if you will. Editor: I'll definitely look at classical mythology differently now. Thanks for shedding some light on the darkness! Curator: My pleasure! Always remember: look closer and question everything. That's where the magic truly lies.