De planeet Mars en zijn invloed op de wereld 1585

Curator: We're looking at "The Planet Mars and its Influence on the World," a print created in 1585 by Johann Sadeler I, housed right here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Oh, my! Immediately, it's the scale that gets me. Tiny figures enacting grand battles over this sprawling, detailed cityscape, all under the ominous march of Mars himself. Curator: Indeed, Sadeler has crafted a powerful allegorical landscape. Note the division: earthly chaos below, presided over by the celestial Mars above, complete with his chariot and fearsome steeds. Editor: That chariot is pulled by just one horse! I find the image fascinating; this lone horse leaps forth with muscular energy that suggests its breeding history, yet seems completely incapable of powering Mars' entire warmongering venture across time and space! It is all rendered meticulously, it's an engraving and etching combo, right? That is amazing! You see how much labor that took. Curator: Yes, the combined techniques give it incredible depth and detail, almost like a watercolor painting. Consider the societal context: it reflects the anxieties and upheavals of the late 16th century, a time marked by religious conflict and political instability, not to mention the production of artwork about "science" which are so tightly knit with "art." Editor: You can really feel that unease. All this relentless war depicted as if the whole landscape is manufactured... almost as if the wars happen by production too! Curator: Exactly. It serves as both a warning and, perhaps, a reflection on the futility of conflict. Editor: What is interesting is, despite all that death, it still manages to captivate with its vibrancy, particularly the upper register. The planet is a war-monger, yet that upper quadrant vibrates, as if creating even more worlds. Curator: Yes, the Renaissance artists often blended beauty with moral messages. Even in depicting destruction, they sought to elevate the viewer through skillful execution. It is as if everything is destined, both horrible, and potentially radiant. Editor: This print really highlights how deeply intertwined art and materiality have always been. Curator: A somber, and hopeful vision, then. Thank you. Editor: It makes you consider how even the grandest visions can be underpinned by careful material labor. Thanks!