Riformato & modesto 1598

Curator: Christoph Krieger created this engraving titled "Riformato & modesto" in 1598. The subject, rendered in stark detail, is contained by an ornamental border that seems lifted from classical motifs. What strikes you first? Editor: The incredible line work, how such simple marks create volume, depth, and texture. The drape of her clothing almost looks real, despite the medium's inherent limitations. There is an austere beauty here. Curator: "Reformed and Modest"—it suggests this engraving played into contemporary societal ideals. This piece probably speaks volumes about fashion as a marker of social and religious identity during the late 16th century. We have here the visual culture of the time and how expectations shaped identities. Editor: Indeed. And yet, it’s more than just documentary. Look at the controlled rendering of light and shadow that creates the volume of the skirt and hood. It feels like a sculptor worked on it. What appears at first to be plain and simple is remarkably sophisticated, especially in her facial features and posture. It reflects on an attempt at idealization of human form. Curator: Do you see this emphasis on her appearance as undermining its supposed modesty? Perhaps this reveals tensions in sumptuary laws and their enforcement during the era. This period was fraught with discussions about what public personas could display, and who should get a privilege in representation. Editor: Perhaps. Or maybe that the period's concept of modesty could accommodate displays of status and accomplishment without being seen as excessive, even something about feminine values of virtue. Curator: An interesting point. Krieger was obviously communicating broader cultural values. Thank you for revealing the formal complexities here, which invite a closer look. Editor: My pleasure. Hopefully we can both go away from this encounter with deeper consideration and understanding about artistic and cultural practices back in the day.