H. Jeroen van Noordwijk 1607 - 1611

Editor: Here we have "H. Jeroen van Noordwijk," an engraving by Jacob Matham dating back to sometime between 1607 and 1611. It’s currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. It's got quite the intense, almost otherworldly vibe, don’t you think? The details are amazing and really force you to take time and observe it carefully. How do you interpret this work, considering its historical context? Curator: Intensely otherworldly – I love that description! You know, looking at the saint, Jerome, gripping both a sword and a falcon... there's a fascinating tension there. Matham, working during the Northern Renaissance and influenced by Baroque dynamism, used engraving to its full potential. It speaks to the era's complex relationship with faith and power, wouldn't you agree? I wonder, what is it about this composition that first caught your attention? Editor: I think it's that sword paired with the falcon, you know? It's such a bizarre combo! Why both symbols? Curator: Precisely! It isn't a common pairing, and yet... The sword likely represents Jerome’s martyrdom. And the falcon could represent nobility or the spiritual quest - something closer to God? Maybe these conflicting items speak to the constant negotiation between earthly power and heavenly ideals in the 17th century? Does this influence your impression? Editor: It totally does. I was too focused on the literal clash of those symbols. Curator: I'm struck by Matham’s delicate hand, the meticulous hatching building up the image bit by bit, almost brick by brick. This detailed layering offers such a rewarding viewing experience; one could spend an afternoon unraveling the nuances of a single piece! What remains with you after studying this piece? Editor: I am much more impressed by printmaking now and will spend more time observing these small details in other artworks. Curator: Splendid, keep at it.