Lot en de twee engelen 1550 - 1570

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum, we have "Lot and the Two Angels," a print dating from 1550 to 1570, rendered in engraving. It exemplifies the style of Mannerism. Editor: It's interesting how this image, seemingly simple, conveys such unease. The sharp lines and exaggerated figures… the mood feels distinctly on edge, despite depicting a moment of hospitality. Curator: Indeed. Mannerism, with its distortion and artificiality, often reflects a sense of crisis. Let's consider the production of this print. Engravings like these were not only artistic statements, but also vital for disseminating visual narratives, playing a crucial role in shaping religious and moral perspectives of the time. The means of reproduction shaped what could be known. Editor: Absolutely. And this print's subject matter, Lot welcoming the angels to Sodom, is a perfect example of art serving as a moralizing force. This scene has a charged role within the context of the Reformation. The image implicitly contrasts Lot’s virtuous hospitality with the wickedness of Sodom. We're invited to see a very specific message: to welcome the divine even in places thought irredeemable. The public image helps encourage people towards the right path. Curator: Examining the materials is essential. The lines of the engraving itself dictate the forms of bodies, wings and drapery, translating the initial intention, but being necessarily constrained by technique. This then speaks to distribution: cheap reproduction democratising stories. It shows an emphasis on how value of engravings often resides in the labor, craft, and widespread availability, breaking away from older ideas about uniqueness and high art. Editor: You are quite right to speak of labor. I am intrigued by the building shown behind Lot in the image. We see that Sodom has monumental structures: powerful forces, represented through grandiose buildings. Here, the very architecture is imbued with political and moral weight! What do you feel about the distribution within the market at the time? Curator: Crucial! It’s distribution that carries messages. This allowed for visual dialogues across communities… a real tool! Editor: Exactly, both a thing of devotion, and of politics, made through careful distribution. Curator: Food for thought indeed! Editor: Agreed.