Dina door Sichem overweldigd / Chamor en Sichem vragen Jakob om Dina's hand 1582 - 1613

Editor: This is "Dina door Sichem overweldigd," or "Dina Overwhelmed by Shechem," by Pieter van der Borcht I, an etching and engraving from sometime between 1582 and 1613. It's quite a busy scene, with a lot going on in the foreground and background. The architecture in the back looks old, Roman almost. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a layered visual narrative, steeped in the symbolism of transgression and negotiation. Notice the stark contrast between the fortified city on the left, a symbol of established order, and the open landscape on the right, suggestive of vulnerability and exposure. The central figures being seized are pivotal; they are the immediate and visceral representation of a broken agreement. Editor: Broken agreement? I wasn’t sure what was going on between all those figures. Curator: Look closely at the tents and figures in the background; they represent the tribe of Jacob. Now follow the lines of sight and gestures. See how they converge toward the city. Van der Borcht is drawing our attention to the clash of cultures and values – an abduction that spirals into diplomatic and eventually violent consequence. Editor: So, the landscape isn't just scenery; it’s a stage for cultural conflict? Curator: Precisely! It becomes a canvas where honor, power, and familial duty play out. What emotional resonance does the depiction of Dina hold for you, considering the work's title and the era in which it was created? Editor: It’s interesting to think about how contemporary audiences would have seen this work, given how gendered and political it is. Now I'm really drawn to those details. Curator: Indeed! By deciphering the visual language of power and vulnerability, we gain insight into the historical attitudes embedded within this seemingly simple etching. A powerful testament to how images communicate cultural memory!