Fontein met engel before 1664

Curator: Looking at "Fontein met engel," an engraving created before 1664 by Sébastien Leclerc I, what's your immediate take? It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It strikes me as both exuberant and rather unsettling. The winged figure atop this incredibly ornate fountain seems to preside over a scene that feels like…engineered chaos? Curator: "Engineered chaos" is quite fitting. Leclerc was known for his detailed cityscapes and allegorical scenes. This particular piece reflects Baroque sensibilities with its emphasis on drama and grandeur, even within the relatively small scale of an engraving. What symbols do you notice? Editor: Well, immediately, that winged figure has to represent something powerful, maybe even divine, positioned as she is, right above a phrase I can almost make out on the plinth, "genii patriae custodi." The water effects billowing out give the figure an ethereal dimension; simultaneously giving off life, while appearing destructive below it. Curator: "To the guardian spirit of the fatherland". The fountain itself, beyond the water, is adorned with architectural details and what look like cannons. Their prominence, the surrounding figures...I can't help seeing socio-political undertones within this composition. Possibly about civic responsibility or the burden of defense in 17th-century urban life. Editor: Yes! Those cannons coupled with that somewhat ambiguous banner the angel is holding—"populi sudore et lacryma"—sweat and tears, of the people...That is not just a purely celebratory message, it feels layered. Perhaps, it comments on sacrifice and resilience. It presents this monument as borne out of great cost. Curator: Precisely. These large allegorical depictions, through cityscapes, fountains or military depictions offer a powerful look into how civic and cultural powers sought to visually manifest and reinforce their positions, particularly for public consumption. Editor: Ultimately, the piece is fascinating in its combination of hope and warning, achievement and acknowledgement of the sacrifices necessary to reach it. An emotional juxtaposition for such a stylized rendering of an object. Curator: It demonstrates how artistic expression can provide insight into power structures of its time. Thank you for unpacking this piece. Editor: And thank you for your help in discovering so much in this small tableau of big, Baroque meanings.