Gezicht 1576 - 1580

Editor: Here we have "Gezicht," or "Sight," an engraving by Hendrick Goltzius from the late 16th century, residing at the Rijksmuseum. It’s striking! There's a central figure with what appears to be a rather large serving dish! What am I missing here? How do you interpret this work? Curator: Ah, "Sight!" What appears as a "serving dish" is most likely a mirror; quite a fancy one, though! It's a complex allegorical figure, dripping with symbolic goodies. Hendrick, if I may call him that – given our artistic kinship!– packs meaning into every stroke. The mirror, naturally, symbolizes reflection and awareness, key components for 'sight'. See that regal woman, draped and gazing intensely into her reflection? I reckon she may be concerned with external beauty… Don't you think? Editor: Maybe! I noticed the cat at her feet; it's certainly *seeing* something, looking away from her. And, what's with that eagle menacingly guarding what look like… eyeballs? Curator: Right you are! The cat, keen of vision in darkness, speaks to another type of sight – instinct and intuition. As for the eagle… a bold choice! It underscores power and acuity. Remember that vision involves scrutiny as much as enjoyment. He’s guarding those symbolic eyeballs, making you wonder about internal vs. external sight. There is always an element of fear and distortion! The tiny figure in the distance seems to be sighting something…perhaps a good fishing spot, if I guess correctly! And he also has that little roof over his head which might signify introspection! Editor: That makes a lot of sense! It is almost overwhelming. So, the piece isn’t just about seeing, but understanding *how* we see? Curator: Exactly! The interplay of different perspectives creates meaning in that engraving. Editor: Amazing. I will never look at cats and eagles the same way again! Curator: I knew you would "see" it eventually!