Deel van een altaarstuk van verguld en gepolychromeerd hout, afgebeeld scènes uit het leven van de heilige Dimpna van Geel, in de Sint-Dimpnakerk in Geel, België before 1887

Editor: Here we see a section of a carved and gilded altarpiece from before 1887, depicting scenes from the life of Saint Dymphna. The detail is astonishing! How would you approach an interpretation of such a complex artwork? Curator: We must begin by rigorously observing the interplay between form and space. Consider how the artist utilizes hierarchical scale and tightly packed arrangements to convey the narrative. Observe how vertical lines and segmented compartments delineate each event in Dymphna’s life, thereby structuring the viewing experience. What structural relationships do you observe that stand out to you? Editor: I notice that some scenes are very active and others are very still, which could draw attention to specific parts of the story. What else informs your viewing of it? Curator: The deliberate application of color, even in its absence from this reproduction, speaks volumes. Imagine the vibrant polychromy and gilding animating the figures. That heightened visual drama underscores the spiritual gravitas intended for the altar piece. The materiality of the wood is equally important – it lends an earthy solidity that contrasts with the ethereal subject matter. The artwork is designed for an interaction between material and content. The question of artistic intentionality is what interests me most. Editor: That’s a different way of looking at it than I’m used to, but focusing on those intentional structures helps me think about the piece in new ways. Thanks! Curator: Precisely! It is the cohesive organization of elements within the artwork, more so than external context, that reveals meaning and stimulates a deepened aesthetic contemplation.