Astrologia c. 17th century

Curator: This is Cornelis Schut's "Astrologia," a fascinating intaglio print. Editor: The etching feels…aspirational. Everyone is gazing upwards! The man, the winged figure...even the putti want to reach those clouds. Curator: Schut, who lived from 1597 to 1655, clearly understood the market for allegorical prints. Here, we see the personification of Astrology instructing humanity. Editor: Note the celestial globe—a tool, but also a symbol of knowledge and power. Curator: The engraving process allowed for detailed lines, crucial for rendering the complex patterns and textures within the allegorical figures' drapery. Editor: It’s a dense composition, yet the upward movement gives it a lightness. Almost makes you forget it’s just ink on paper. Curator: Absolutely. The use of light and shadow, achieved through varied line thickness, adds depth and drama. Editor: You know, I'm drawn to the way the figures interact—it's not just didactic, it's almost tender. Curator: The print encapsulates a period deeply invested in both scientific inquiry and symbolic representation. Editor: It really does. It’s a glimpse into how the world was understood—or perhaps, how it was hoped to be understood.