Huwelijk van Athenais en keizer Flavius Theodosius, 421 1721

Editor: This is Jacob Folkema's engraving from 1721, titled "Huwelijk van Athenais en keizer Flavius Theodosius, 421," which translates to "The Marriage of Athenais and Emperor Flavius Theodosius, 421". The scene is so intricately detailed despite being a print. The light and shadow play so well. It seems very staged, almost theatrical. What do you see in it? Curator: Theatrical, yes, absolutely! It feels like looking at a stage play. I see the controlled drama so typical of the Baroque style, a history painting trying to evoke… let's call it 'imperial glamour'. Did you notice the cherubs above? It feels like an angelic endorsement of this dynastic union. There's a whole political narrative packaged as a tender, romantic moment. What strikes me most is the medium - engraving. Each line tells a story. Each shade hints at something profound. How else can you create something that is almost "painting-like" but made out of lines only? Editor: That's such a cool observation! The political narrative totally went over my head at first, I was just mesmerized by the details and play with the lines. The cherubs do add a sense of divine right, don't they? Curator: It’s as if Folkema is telling us, "This isn't just a marriage, it's history unfolding with heavenly approval". Though honestly, history through rose-tinted glasses, I suspect. You have to wonder what was left out of the story to make the Empire look this glamorous? What do you think, should we dig into the marriage contract details to give context? Editor: Ha, maybe later! But that makes you wonder... It’s fascinating how much historical spin can be put into a single image. I will keep that in mind. Curator: Absolutely. I love the journey that one image can send you on. Each stroke and detail of it becomes so crucial once you start thinking like that. Thank you.