Thisbe treurt bij de stervende Pyramus 1618 - 1655

Editor: Here we have "Thisbe Mourning the Dying Pyramus", a baroque engraving made sometime between 1618 and 1655 by Cornelis Schut, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. There’s a deep sense of tragedy here, it's somber and romantic at the same time. What catches your eye when you look at this? Curator: Isn’t it gorgeous? I think this work speaks so fluently to a world drenched in drama. Look at the swooning Thisbe, embracing her fallen lover… She reminds me of operatic heroines at their most tragic! Consider, too, that figure looming above in the background -- a kind of satyr witness. What's *he* thinking as he peers down? The entire scene feels like a fever dream pulled directly from Ovid’s *Metamorphoses*. Do you get a sense of that literary foundation? Editor: Definitely! The staging, with the architectural details, almost feels theatrical. But beyond the melodrama, how does the printmaking technique itself contribute to the emotional impact? Curator: Ah, that’s a great question. The engraving is all about contrast, wouldn't you agree? The dense cross-hatching plunges parts into shadow, while the untouched paper shimmers. Schut manipulates light so intensely, imbuing a kind of kinetic energy. The crisp lines heighten the tragic beauty, giving everything a sense of palpable immediacy. Tell me, does that speak to you? Editor: Absolutely. It’s like he's etching grief directly into the metal, and from there onto the page! Curator: Beautifully put. I think, beneath all the pathos, is this delicate exploration of humanity and myth, skillfully translated into print. It makes us contemplate the long tradition of narrative and visual art. Editor: I never really thought about the intensity of engraving! Now I appreciate the contrast and light in creating a visual impact. Thank you for sharing this.