Drie nissen met Hercules, Mars en Vulcanus 1578

Editor: Okay, next up we have "Three Niches with Hercules, Mars, and Vulcan," an etching and engraving from 1578 by Etienne Delaune, hanging here in the Rijksmuseum. I find the line work just captivating; it gives everything such a statuesque feel, like little gods frozen in stone. What catches your eye about it? Curator: Well, for me, it's the *almost* mathematical precision, balanced with a very human, almost quirky, energy. Delaune, right? He's not just documenting; he's playing. Do you see how each god inhabits his niche, but barely? Like they’re bursting to step out? Hercules seems particularly restless, doesn’t he? And Vulcanus, cramped with his hammer! They feel trapped but defiant, like rebellious teenagers grounded in tiny gilded cages. Almost darkly humorous when you think about the usual grandiosity attached to depictions of mythological gods, isn't it? Editor: That's an interesting way of thinking about it, as being trapped. The idea of grand figures squeezed into these niches definitely adds to that sense of humour. The almost mundane activity of Vulcan, crafting away, contrasted with the expected heroic poses... Curator: Exactly! Delaune is giving us a wink, I think. Questioning, perhaps even mocking, the established order and idealized representations. Maybe hinting that even gods feel confined by expectations. Or maybe I'm just projecting! What do you think--confined or cleverly composed? Editor: I see your point. It's both! Thanks for bringing a completely different meaning into view! Curator: Absolutely! Art's just a fun conversation with a lot of strange characters along the way. And engravings of naughty gods--who could ask for more?