Penning met een embleem en de namen van de hertogen van Savoye 1706

Curator: Oh, this unassuming engraving from 1706. It's called "Penning met een embleem en de namen van de hertogen van Savoye," essentially a medallion commemorating the Dukes of Savoy. An anonymous work. Editor: My first thought? It feels like gazing into an astronomer's drawing of some strange new planet, all miniature landscapes and regal script. Curator: The radial design certainly gives it that celestial quality. See how the landscape scene sits at the heart, ringed by the names and dates of the Dukes, almost like tracking orbits through time. I’d say it uses geometric pattern, mountain landscapes, portraits, and elements of historical painting to make a medieval emblem! Editor: And the landscape itself seems to carry its own quiet drama. The smoky haze of what I think are canons far away on the left. There's a person down below—maybe fleeing toward safety at the small structure? This idyllic scene seems underscored by subtle notes of disruption. I want to know what all this means and how they fit into the geometric representation! Curator: Yes, that's an interesting tension, isn't it? While we celebrate the Dukes' lineage, this image reminds you about the fragility of their state and maybe their power too. The title "NON. PENETRANT.RADII", might suggests, 'Rays do not penetrate' referring to light, enlightenment, knowledge—perhaps inaccessible or obscured during this historical period, maybe alluding to political obfuscation? Also, Savoy was often caught between larger European powers. So this image, as a historical marker, is also making an argument of its sovereignty. Editor: And that, I suppose, is the magic of art, to compress so much meaning, even with anonymous creator. Every delicate line telling tales within tales, even down to those skulls right before "NOMS DES DVCS"... are we really sure who celebrated whom with this? Curator: Precisely. It's a multi-layered, fascinating image, revealing aspects of its era's socio-political awareness. A reminder that even in apparent tributes, a touch of critique is often stirring just below the surface. Editor: Right, who knew so much could be evoked in such an ostensibly formal piece. Thanks for helping me dive deep into this work. I'll leave it here a little bit longer while I soak in all this visual information.