River Landscape with Mercury and Psyche 1580 - 1600

Editor: This engraving, "River Landscape with Mercury and Psyche," attributed to Simon Novellanus, feels incredibly detailed. I’m struck by the way the landscape dominates, almost dwarfing the figures. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see this landscape as reflecting the complex power dynamics of its time. Mercury and Psyche, figures from mythology, become almost secondary to the depiction of land ownership and control. Who benefits from this representation of the landscape? Editor: So, you're saying it's not just a pretty picture, but about power? Curator: Exactly. Consider how the artist chooses to portray the land. Does it celebrate nature or does it glorify human dominion? And how does that relate to the social realities of the period? Editor: That’s given me a whole new way of looking at landscapes. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about art in relation to power structures opens up fascinating avenues for interpretation.