Smell 1561

Curator: This is Cornelis Cort's "Smell," a 16th-century engraving. The detail is astonishing. Editor: It's quite evocative, isn't it? The textures – the woman's dress, the rough bark of the tree – it all feels so tangible. There is an almost photographic quality. Curator: Cort was a master engraver known for disseminating Italian Renaissance art throughout Northern Europe. Here, we see a personification of Smell, surrounded by fragrant flowers. Editor: I'm intrigued by the dog, straining towards the bouquet. The piece seems to valorize the senses, but also reflects how senses are embodied differently. Curator: Exactly. The print underscores the hierarchical relationship between humans and animals inherent to the period, framing scent as a point of connection, and, arguably, distinction. Editor: It’s fascinating how this artwork both celebrates and subtly interrogates our relationship with the natural world and how that dynamic is also culturally determined. Curator: I agree. It’s a layered piece, prompting us to consider the cultural and historical context that shapes our perceptions. Editor: It does indeed. It makes me think about what is lost when we reduce nature to a mere decorative object.