Landscape with the Temptation of Christ c. 1610

Curator: This is a small etching, attributed to Andries Jacobsz Stock, titled "Landscape with the Temptation of Christ," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Stark. It’s almost unsettling with its high contrast and sharp, angular forms. The drama of the landscape feels almost theatrical. Curator: Indeed. Landscapes in the 16th and 17th centuries often carried religious or moralizing messages, subtly commenting on humanity's place within the world. The positioning of Christ and Satan atop that peak really emphasizes their tenuous relationship. Editor: Note the meticulous use of line; the engraver uses cross-hatching to build up the tonal range, creating both texture and depth. The composition leads the eye diagonally across the scene, stopping finally on the figures. The scale, though miniature, creates a vast world. Curator: The placement of this scene within nature emphasizes a common theme of the period: the struggle between good and evil played out against the backdrop of human history. Editor: I find it a fascinating synthesis of technical skill and symbolic intent, all within a surprisingly small plate.