De griffioen 1500 - 1550

Editor: So here we have "De griffioen," or "The Griffin," an engraving that dates back to somewhere between 1500 and 1550 by an anonymous artist. It's currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. Honestly, it’s a bit… intense! The griffin looks so fierce. What do you make of this curious creature? Curator: This piece really grabs you, doesn't it? I find myself getting lost in the detail. This engraving offers a glimpse into the medieval mindset, where the line between the real and the fantastical was often delightfully blurred. The griffin itself, a creature of myth, half-eagle and half-lion, embodies a fusion of power and wisdom. But I wonder, what do you think its purpose was, hanging on someone's wall, centuries ago? Editor: Decoration, maybe? Or did they actually believe in Griffins? Curator: Possibly both! In that era, mythical creatures often served as symbolic representations. Power, vigilance… maybe even a dash of the unknown, prompting both wonder and caution. The engraving style, that fine line work… it lends itself to intricate storytelling. Notice the chain around its leg...a rather perplexing detail. What are your thoughts on that little detail? Editor: That’s kind of sad, isn't it? It feels a bit like a captured beast. Maybe a sign of humanity's attempt to control the wild and untamed. Curator: That's a lovely interpretation! The chain offers a glimpse into human ambition, maybe. Or fear, perhaps? But looking at the plant life around its feet and the little details that makes up its features, there is so much left to decode, leaving room for future interpretations and art history investigations. What’s changed for you, after having thought this through together? Editor: Definitely see more than just a strange creature now. All these details make it feel less like a monster and more like, well, a complex idea. It's really made me appreciate engravings more and what we can see with them, after having talked it through. Thanks!