Hebe 

Editor: So here we have "Hebe", an oil painting by Johann Baptist von Lampi the Elder. I'm immediately struck by its classical feel. The soft lighting and her serene expression evoke a sense of calm. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Calm is a lovely way to put it. To me, she's not just serene, she's poised on the precipice of a giggle, wouldn't you say? There’s this hint of mischief in her eyes that counters the Neoclassical, almost sterile, perfection usually strived for. She's offering something with that urn – immortality, in mythological terms – but with a decidedly human wink. Editor: A giggle! I hadn't noticed that. So it's playing with the classical ideal a bit? Curator: Exactly! It is a mythological allegory after all, and she embodies eternal youth, but Lampi the Elder paints her with such personality. The delicate blush on her cheeks, the almost unruly curl escaping her hair...It pulls us away from the abstract and places her firmly in a real, lived-in world, if only for a fleeting moment. He cleverly softens those crisp lines characteristic of Neoclassicism. Notice also the very sensual curve of the arm and fingers caressing that metallic urn, making me wonder just how eternal she truly is. Editor: That’s a great point, it is rather sensual. This makes me consider the intent: Is Lampi just portraying beauty, or making a larger statement on mythology versus reality? Curator: Perhaps both! Aren't they always intertwined? I see Lampi embracing the ideal, yet playfully nudging us to see beyond it. Maybe even reminding us that youth, eternal or otherwise, is always laced with a little bit of mischief and a whole lot of life. Editor: I love the way that interpretation makes me appreciate how much the humanity shines through despite being a depiction of myth. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Now I’m looking at other paintings for mischievous grins. This has been delightfully illuminating!