Tulips and the Sun c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Jacques Callot’s etching, "Tulips and the Sun." The stark contrast between the sun and stars is so striking. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a commentary on power dynamics, even ecological exploitation. Consider the tulips – symbols of wealth during the Dutch Golden Age, a period fueled by colonial extraction. Editor: So, the sun and stars aren't just celestial bodies? Curator: Precisely. The sun could represent enlightenment, but also the blinding force of patriarchal power, while the stars might symbolize hope found in marginalized voices resisting oppression. Editor: That gives me a new way to look at art history. Curator: Indeed! Callot's etching encourages us to question what narratives are illuminated, and whose perspectives remain in the shadows.