Sacrifice of Iphigenia c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have Nicolas Beatrizet the Younger's engraving, "Sacrifice of Iphigenia." It's incredibly detailed, a real narrative explosion on paper. The drama feels so heightened, almost operatic. What strikes you most about it? Curator: Oh, it's the dance between horror and...dare I say, necessity, that captivates me. See how Beatrizet frames it all within this classical architecture, Rome, no less! He's saying something about the foundations of civilization, isn't he? Built, perhaps, on uncomfortable choices. Editor: So, it's not just a historical scene, but a commentary? Curator: Precisely! And note the eagle swooping in—divine intervention waiting in the wings. Does it offer salvation, or merely a change of fate? Perhaps it's both, a grim reminder that even our best-laid plans are subject to forces beyond our control. Editor: Wow, I'll never look at Greek myths the same way. Curator: That's the magic of art, isn't it? To peel back the layers of story and find the raw nerve of human experience.