Capitolene Wolf with Romulus and Remus, after the antiquity 1886

Editor: This is Joseph Smith’s "Capitolene Wolf with Romulus and Remus, after the antiquity." It depicts the iconic she-wolf, and it feels so charged. What historical narratives do you see present in this image? Curator: This piece reflects the enduring power of origin myths and their complex relationship with gender and power. The she-wolf, a maternal figure, nurses the founders of Rome. Yet, isn't it interesting how easily narratives of nurturing can be co-opted by patriarchal structures? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. So, it’s about more than just the founding of Rome? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to question the stories we tell ourselves about leadership and the roles assigned to different genders, even in origin stories. These themes are still relevant today. Editor: I will never look at Romulus and Remus the same way again. Curator: Art always provides a lens through which we may better examine history.