Salomo door Sadoc tot koning gezalfd 1675

Editor: So, here we have Pietro Aquila's 1675 engraving, "Salomo door Sadoc tot koning gezalfd," which depicts the biblical coronation of Solomon. I am immediately struck by the dynamism of the scene—so many figures, all rendered with these really energetic lines. How do you interpret the scene, and what are some of the key aspects you find particularly compelling? Curator: Ah, a print! Wonderful. First, it reminds me of the way stories used to be shared before Netflix took over our lives; these engravings really did carry history, didn't they? The line work here is fabulous, especially the expressions. Aquila has captured this potent moment with real flair! Have you noticed how all eyes are on Solomon, except Solomon’s? It adds an almost melancholic layer, a subtle tension amid all the ceremony. What do *you* make of it? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't quite focused on Solomon's expression specifically – more generally, on how animated everyone else looks! He does seem kind of… distant. Is this something you see often in depictions of coronations, or does it tell us something particular about Solomon's story? Curator: Coronations are such theatrical affairs! Often brimming with posed displays of enthusiasm and contrived excitement. Here, there’s an acknowledgment that power comes with a cost, perhaps a foreshadowing of the burdens that await Solomon? Look at the raw, expressive quality of the faces surrounding him versus his more sedate posture – almost an abdication of immediacy. Perhaps Aquila wanted to remind us that those crowned, though elevated, are also forever burdened. Do you feel it captures the *sacredness* of such an event? Editor: I think I do get that. I came looking for a scene of triumph, but seeing it described that way makes the whole thing feel a bit heavier, and perhaps a lot more human. Thank you! Curator: Indeed! A king isn’t *just* crowned with glory, you see, he's crowned with responsibility, with human hopes, and maybe even our collective anxieties. And we got to unpack this from one fabulous etching.