Onderboezem in nis c. 1675 - 1686

Editor: So, this etching, "Onderboezem in nis," or "Bust in Niche," is by Cornelis Danckerts I, created sometime between 1675 and 1686. It’s at the Rijksmuseum. I'm immediately drawn to the almost obsessive detail in the ornamentation, especially considering it's just a print. It feels a bit like a stage set. What catches your eye? Curator: Well, firstly, "obsessive detail" is a phrase that sings to my art-loving heart! It *is* incredibly meticulous, isn’t it? Think about the era. Baroque. It was all about opulence, drama, and visual impact. And Danckerts really captures that here. The niche isn't just a backdrop; it’s an architectural statement, right? Like saying, "Even my fireplace is fancy!" But tell me, does it feel a bit... airless to you? Almost as if the ornament suffocates the space? Editor: I get what you mean. It's impressive, but almost suffocating! The floral arrangements and the shell motif seem to fight for attention. Is that common for Baroque design, or is Danckerts pushing it to an extreme? Curator: That tension is actually key to Baroque, I think. It's about abundance and also, if you want to get deep, a reflection of societal anxieties about mortality and fleeting beauty, maybe? Think of the Dutch "vanitas" paintings. This fireplace *could* be a celebration of earthly pleasures, a sort of architectural memento mori, with all this luscious ornamentation destined to fade, no? Does that change your perspective a little? Editor: Absolutely, it adds a whole new layer! It's not just decorative; it's a statement about life's ephemerality hidden within this extravagant frame. Curator: Precisely! Now, next time you are decorating your room, don't forget a Baroque touch, perhaps just one shell for a good measure of memento mori! Editor: That’s… hauntingly beautiful. I’ll definitely see Baroque art differently now. Curator: Me too! There is always something to discover when one lets an artwork touch you.