Apollo Crowning Virgil 1641

Editor: This is Claude Mellan's "Apollo Crowning Virgil." The dimensions are roughly 35 by 21 centimeters, and it's at the Harvard Art Museums. The scene feels very staged to me. What do you see in this engraving? Curator: It's like a divine photo-op, isn't it? Mellan, bless his meticulous soul, created this entirely from one single, spiraling line! Imagine the sheer dedication – no room for error. It’s a celebration of Virgil, of course, but also a testament to the virtuosity of printmaking. Do you feel the almost sculptural quality, despite it being just lines on paper? Editor: Yes, now that you mention it, I can see the texture. It's amazing to think it's all one line! I'll never look at engravings the same way again. Curator: Exactly! Sometimes the most incredible magic hides in the simplest of techniques. It makes you wonder about the stories behind the line, doesn't it?