Ontmoeting tussen de heilige Norbertus en paus Calixtus II 1622

Editor: We're looking at "The Meeting between Saint Norbert and Pope Calixtus II," a 1622 engraving by Cornelis Galle I, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. The detail is astonishing! I'm immediately struck by the formal composition; everyone is so carefully arranged. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, yes! It’s a visual feast, isn't it? Galle's Baroque sensibilities really shine here. The crisp lines, the clear depiction of status through gesture and attire – it's like a carefully choreographed dance. It’s an engraving, of course, so think of the labour that went into it! But beyond the technique, which I love, is the story, right? Norbert, on his knees, offering what looks like laurel… acceptance? Penance, perhaps? And the Pope, bestowing grace? It has a timeless appeal, wouldn’t you say? Editor: It feels very… staged, almost theatrical. Curator: Indeed! And deliberately so. The artist probably wanted to emphasise the power of the papacy, using Norbert as a symbol of piety and devotion. He wants you to feel the weight of history and tradition. Look at the crowd flanking the main figures! It lends even greater impact to that moment of supplication. What strikes *you* most? Editor: Probably that contrast - between Norbert’s humbled position and the Pope's upright stance. There's this real sense of hierarchy… but also of connection, like something is being transferred between them. Curator: Beautifully put. A real conversation happening in a static scene. Editor: This artwork provides us with many things to look at. It's a captivating story indeed!