Macbeth en Banquo ontmoeten de drie heksen 1825 - 1883

Editor: This etching, “Macbeth and Banquo meeting the three witches” by Theodoor Schaepkens, done sometime between 1825 and 1883, is incredibly striking. The stark contrast and dense lines create a very tense atmosphere. What kind of story do you think the symbols are telling in this piece? Curator: Indeed. The image is drenched in potent symbolism. Think about the figures of Macbeth and Banquo. They are confronted not just by women, but by witches, figures steeped in pre-Christian, pagan imagery that had long been demonized. It speaks to the fear of the feminine, of unseen forces manipulating power. Notice how the horses seem agitated, and even the dog looks disturbed; animals were often included to signify when the natural order was disrupted. What is most striking to you about these figures? Editor: It's their reaction! Macbeth seems more curious, maybe even greedy, whereas Banquo seems warier, more reserved in the face of these figures and whatever they represent. Curator: Precisely. It anticipates their different paths, doesn’t it? Think about what witches represented: a dangerous, destabilizing element outside the control of the established patriarchal order. The landscape itself mirrors the inner turmoil and foreshadows coming chaos, rendered with swirling lines that threaten to consume everything. This etching reminds us how visual language can preserve anxieties and beliefs across generations. Editor: It’s fascinating how Schaepkens used a visual narrative to delve into these deeper cultural fears and expectations embedded in the original story. Curator: It serves as a visual touchstone to the play and its psychological weight through symbol and drama, reminding us how potent the marriage of imagery and story can be.