Artemisia / Lucretia 1753 - 1790

Curator: Giovanni David’s “Artemisia / Lucretia,” housed here at the Rijksmuseum, dates from between 1753 and 1790. He worked these images as engravings, creating prints from the original designs. Editor: Visually, the pair exudes despair and finality, though their poses and compositional weight differ quite markedly, creating a visual dialogue within the print itself. The stark lines of the engravings emphasize dramatic chiaroscuro. Curator: Precisely! This work provides an interesting glimpse into printmaking during this era, where engravings allowed for the mass reproduction and dissemination of artwork. These engravings would have reached a wider audience, thereby democratizing art viewing and shifting its consumption. Note how the linear nature of engraving, a repetitive manual process, transforms these classic, tragic subjects. Editor: Absolutely. By focusing on the visual structure, the contrast created in the image pulls the eye, and draws us in to the very personal, interior struggle of each character. Consider the visual weight. The stoic figure of Artemisia contrasted against the turbulent scene surrounding Lucretia. Curator: That choice may well reflect David's intended audience and the socio-cultural norms of his time. Artemisia, embracing her husband Mausolus's ashes, symbolizes a specific type of grieving, one rooted in honoring memory, while Lucretia, confronting assault and dishonor, portrays a crisis of patriarchal values. David’s work invites discussion about representation, gender, and morality in 18th century art production. Editor: It’s this ability to utilize stark visual structure and its emotional and thematic weight that keeps compelling audiences through the years. Both invite such unique reading experiences across time. Curator: Yes, Giovanni David allows us, through a mechanical and reproducible medium, to confront both individual artistry and historical contexts. Editor: David's artistic decisions, as well as the historical subjects of his engravings, are undeniably thought-provoking.