Latona Changes Men to Frogs c. 16th century

Curator: This is Johann Sadeler I's "Latona Changes Men to Frogs," currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My eye is immediately drawn to the transformation; the figures contorting into frogs are vividly grotesque against the serene landscape. Curator: Indeed. Sadeler, active in the late 16th century, was a master of engraving. Notice the detailed lines creating texture and depth. This print was likely made for a book or portfolio, intended for circulation among educated elites. Editor: And the image itself is laden with symbolism. Latona, a powerful maternal figure, avenges the disrespect shown to her by these peasants. Frogs themselves often represent transformation and, in some contexts, impurity. Curator: The production of such prints involved specialized labor and a market keen to consume classical narratives. This image offered a moral lesson but also showcased the engraver's skill, serving as a form of cultural capital. Editor: Ultimately, the print serves as a reminder that even seemingly powerless figures can command divine justice, transforming the mundane into the monstrous. Curator: Yes, it's a potent reminder of the social and material processes through which such stories took shape and were disseminated.