Plas van Cupido wordt door een oude man opgevangen 1661 - 1726

Curator: Right, let's dive in. We're looking at "Plas van Cupido wordt door een oude man opgevangen"—or "Cupid's Puddle Being Caught by an Old Man"—an engraving that historians reckon was completed sometime between 1661 and 1726. It's the work of Gerard Valck, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as odd, but what are your first thoughts? Editor: Honestly, slightly unsettling. The Cupid figure feels vulnerable, almost melancholic. And that old woman, or man dressed as a woman maybe?, is a study in... well, stark age, those goggles. The contrast is unsettling. The serpent he holds could be medicine related or the one from Genesis, it certainly sets my imagination loose. Curator: It's interesting that you hone in on vulnerability. It's easy to read the scene just literally—Cupid needing help—but I wonder if Valck is playing with our expectations of Eros as this powerful figure of desire. He seems almost infantile here. Editor: Exactly. It challenges that inherent association of love with some vigorous force. We're used to seeing cherubs depicted like mischievous little pranksters, but this poor guy looks…lost. And the fact that he’s, you know, created a little puddle of need really pushes this subversion further. But, look how delicately he handles that snake staff; there's experience behind him even when infantile. Curator: Symbolically, there is a dense mixture present here: Aging is a major part of the narrative but it’s a tender compassion, maybe even care taking over, or a lament even? This piece strikes an interesting cord: that one extreme, as a culture that champions youth above all, should consider there are some gifts age gives us. Editor: I think the skill of the engraving only amplifies these contrasting themes, it emphasizes the fine details. I find it makes me want to inspect the figures, as it teases me to see into their deeper states, or even meanings. The work really asks you to examine it beyond its literal title. It's like looking into a mirror and seeing something far more layered than you expect. Curator: It's true, Valck seems intent on subverting myth to remind us of realities in life, too, of a universal truth - something as potent as love can make you feel just as needy as being human can too. The use of this story is simply genius here! Editor: Indeed, such a gentle invitation to ponder our complex connection with love! Thanks for bringing this one to our attention!