Embleem met de mens die zich in alles bewust is van de alomtegenwoordigheid van God 1620 - 1623

Curator: Looking at this engraving, made between 1620 and 1623, its allegorical subject matter is particularly fascinating. The work is called "Emblem with the person who is aware of the omnipresence of God," and it’s held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Wow. Immediately, I feel a sense of being watched... not in a creepy way, but more like... every little thing is connected and under observation from above. What is it with all those radiant lines? Curator: Precisely. The Baroque era often utilized complex symbolism, and this piece is dense with it. It argues that every facet of human activity, be it maritime trade depicted with all those ships, societal events on the balconies, or religious rituals taking place at the bottom, exists within God's all-seeing presence. We see this presence embodied as well at the top. Editor: Okay, now I get it. There’s even hell mouth at the very bottom right. The whole world in one image—sort of terrifying but beautiful. And there’s the holy trinity beaming from above, like a spotlight on our dramas below. What always strikes me with engravings is the labor involved. Curator: Indeed. The history painting aspect here places humans within a divine historical narrative. We’re not just individuals, but actors on a godly stage, which emphasizes themes of human consciousness. I always focus on who gets to be placed in those divine stories, considering questions of social control and access to those religious doctrines back in that period. Editor: I think that focus adds so much depth! For me, it boils down to connection. We're all floating in this grand play together. Ships, royalty, church figures and devils all at the same level under God’s rays...Makes you consider your actions. I’m leaving with a strong need to do better and be present. Curator: And by grappling with art from the past, we open avenues to re-examine our shared values. How relevant. Editor: Absolutely. Thanks for helping me make sense of this. Now, let's go see something a little less intense, yeah?