S. Amelia, queen of Hungary c. 19th century

Curator: This is Paolo Mercuri's "S. Amelia, queen of Hungary." The artist was born in 1804 and died in 1884, making this probably a mid-19th century work. Editor: It feels so reverent, doesn't it? All that soft light on the queen, kneeling, surrounded by what looks like a court of angels. The grayscale really adds to the timeless feel. Curator: Absolutely. Mercuri was working within a tradition of historical portraiture, but also a moment when ideas of female piety were very much at the fore. The print medium also made it accessible to a wider audience than a painting might have been. Editor: It's interesting how this image, made accessible, can also reinforce hierarchies. Even with the queen's gentle demeanor, there's a clear power dynamic created by her position and crown. Curator: Exactly. The politics of imagery, as ever, are complex and nuanced. Looking at it now, that tension between devotion and power still feels very present. Editor: Agreed. Something about the queen's gaze, directed downwards, still makes me think of quiet contemplation above all.