Entombment c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Juergen Ovens' "Entombment" from the 17th century, rendered in pen and ink. The rapid, almost frantic lines create a scene of profound sorrow and urgency. What stories do you think this drawing is trying to tell? Curator: Well, consider the historical context. The 17th century was a time of intense religious and political upheaval, and images of mourning were often used to address societal grief. Think about who is missing from the picture, perhaps those who benefitted from inequality. What feelings are conjured when looking at this work today? Editor: It’s like, beyond the immediate religious narrative, it’s echoing something more universally human about grief, loss, and caretaking. I think I am looking at a powerful study in the complexities of grief and the weight of history. Curator: Precisely. It makes one question whose stories get told and remembered. This seemingly simple drawing encourages critical reflection on social hierarchies present at the time as well as how history can and cannot reflect all participants. Are there aspects of modern injustice you see echoed here? Editor: The figures feel anonymous somehow, perhaps mirroring the anonymity of the forgotten, of people affected by systems and oppression who are largely written out of the story. It hits harder than I first expected. Curator: This makes the drawing even more relevant today, it can urge us to reckon with those untold and often painful narratives, to consider how we grapple with systemic inequities. I wonder, has the meaning of this piece shifted for you through our discussion? Editor: It really has. I see it now as more than just a depiction of a biblical scene. I now understand that I’m meant to critically consider our relationship to collective trauma and social responsibility. Curator: Indeed, art can be a powerful catalyst for these reflections. Hopefully this drawing challenges us all.