Book I.14. King Tatius slain at Lavinium {Primae Decadis Liber Primus p. III verso} 1493

Editor: This is an anonymous woodcut, "Book I.14. King Tatius slain at Lavinium." It feels brutal and immediate. What visual cues point to the artist's perspective on this event? Curator: Note the figure on the platform, detached yet presiding. He embodies the weight of judgment and tradition, reminiscent of ancient judicial iconography. The act of violence, framed within the architectural structure, suggests a ritualized and sanctioned event. Editor: I hadn't considered the architecture as framing the violence! It makes me wonder about the cultural justifications for this act. Curator: Indeed. Symbols evolve; violence, even when depicted graphically, can carry symbolic weight, shaping cultural memory. What continuities do you observe between historical and contemporary depictions of violence and power? Editor: That's a chilling thought, but I see how these images can perpetuate certain narratives and power structures through time. Thanks for your insight!