Mercurius geeft de gouden appel aan Paris 1641

Curator: Ah, look at this engaging engraving by Jacques Belly, created in 1641. It's called "Mercurius geeft de gouden appel aan Paris," which translates to "Mercury Gives the Golden Apple to Paris." You can find it here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It has an ethereal feel to it. There's this figure sort of mid-air, but instead of weightless, he's got a solidity almost like a sculpture being tossed. What a bizarre, tense calm it evokes! Curator: Indeed, the dynamism is fascinating! The artwork captures a key moment from classical mythology, doesn’t it? Mercury, identifiable by his winged helmet, descends from the heavens. Below him, Paris sits, staff in hand, contemplating the golden apple, while his loyal dog watches. It’s Baroque in its exuberance, but there's a formality, especially in the figure placement, reminiscent of earlier styles. Editor: The gaze of the dog directs mine—such subtle triangular compositions everywhere you look. It does carry the dramatic weight of the Baroque, a kind of celestial stagecraft where every element points towards some dramatic unveiling, don't you think? Even though it’s monochrome, I feel these characters practically vibrate with potential. Curator: I think what's compelling about Belly's vision is how he’s rendered it with engraving, giving it a landscape feel that merges styles nicely with the figures. The setting isn't just backdrop; it's part of the narrative weight of what’s about to happen. He is presenting a judgment that sets off a war of worlds. The pastoral quality gives you pause. Editor: It is quite affecting that the artist creates this sense of stillness at the brink of absolute mayhem. The choice to use engraving is perfect. So I am curious if Belly did others from classical narratives? Curator: Belly's engraving is, at once, beautiful and thought-provoking and while the other mythological scenes remain unknown to me, there is a charm to it with respect to classical knowledge as a touchstone. Editor: Yes, and the visual balance of a world forever tilted by one choice.