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| Giovanni Baglione St Catherine carried up to heaven by angels ca. 1625 drawing, gouache Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Bartholomeus Breenbergh Interior of ancient ruin 1627 wash drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
THE TROJANS
Our efforts are the efforts of the unfortunate;
our efforts are like those of the Trojans.
We succeed somewhat; we regain confidence
somewhat; and we start once more
to have courage and high hopes.
But something always happens and stops us.
Achilles in the trench emerges before us
and with loud cries dismays us.–
Our efforts are like those of the Trojans.
We think that with resolution and daring,
we will alter the downdrag of destiny,
and we stand outside ready for battle.
But when the great crisis comes,
our daring and our resolution vanish;
our soul is agitated, paralyzed;
and we run all around the walls
seeking to save ourselves in flight.
However, our fall is certain. Above,
on the walls, the dirge has already begun.
The memories and the feelings of our own days weep.
Priam and Hecuba weep bitterly for us.
– Constantine Cavafy, from Complete Poems (1961), translated by Rae Dalven
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| Herman van Swanevelt Group of trees ca. 1630 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Giovanni Francesco Romanelli Archangel Uriel and the Dragon 1637 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Jonas Umbach Cupid and Psyche 1640 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Bartolomeo Torregiani Wooded landscape 1646 wash drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Giulio Benso Battle scene with appearance of the Angel of Victory 1648 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Girolamo Troppa Archangel Michael 1653 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Jan Lievens Studies after the model ca. 1665 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
BUT WISE MEN PERCEIVE APPROACHING THINGS
People know what is happening now.
The gods know things of the future,
the entire and sole possessors of all the lights.
Of the things of the future, wise men perceive
approaching events. At times
during hours of serious meditations
their hearing is disturbed. The mysterious clamor
of approaching events reaches them.
And they listen with reverence. Although outside
on the street, the peoples hear nothing at all.
– Constantine Cavafy, from Complete Poems (1961), translated by Rae Dalven
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| Giovanni Paolo Melchiori Allegory of the Arts 1679 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Giacinto Calandrucci Composition study for ceiling decoration 1680 drawing, watercolor Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Daniel Seiter Martyrdom of St Lawrence 1685 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Carlo Maratti Madonna in Glory with group of Saints 1686 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
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| Domenico Piola Christ carrying the Cross appears to St Ignatius of Loyola ca. 1690-1700 drawing Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf |
FOOTSTEPS
On an ebony bed, ornamented
with coral eagles, sound asleep, lies
Nero – unconscious, quiet and blissful,
flourishing in the vigor of the flesh
and in the splendid strength of youth.
But in the alabaster hall enclosing
the ancient shrine of the Aenobarbi
how restive are his Lares.
The small household gods tremble
and they try to hide their insignificant bodies.
For they heard a sinister clamor,
a deathly clamor ascending the stairs;
iron footsteps rattling the stairs.
And now in a faint the miserable Lares
bury themselves in the rear of the shrine;
one tumbles and stumbles over the other,
one little god falls over the other
for they understand what sort of clamor this is,
by now they already know the Furies' footsteps.
– Constantine Cavafy, from Complete Poems (1961), translated by Rae Dalven