Alexander and Diogenes c. 19th century

Editor: Gandolfi's "Alexander and Diogenes" depicts a meeting between the powerful ruler and the philosopher. The composition seems to emphasize the contrast between them. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This print stages a powerful encounter between power and philosophy. Consider how Gandolfi, working in the late 18th century, uses this classical subject to comment on societal values and hierarchies. What does the choice of depicting this particular moment say about the role of the intellectual in relation to authority? Editor: That's interesting. It makes me think about how we value different types of knowledge and power even today. Curator: Exactly. The tension represented is eternal, urging us to critically examine the structures that shape our world. It also suggests the potential for challenging those systems.