Celtes Surrounded by Greek and Roman Gods Possibly 1502

Curator: “Celtes Surrounded by Greek and Roman Gods”, possibly from 1502, is attributed to Hans Süss von Kulmbach, and done in ink and woodcut. It is really teeming with figures! So intricate... The Northern Renaissance really embraced detail, didn't it? All those characters arranged symmetrically give the work a formal and...almost celebratory mood. I’m drawn to how classical mythology intersects with early modern identity in this print. What stands out to you? Editor: I think what immediately grabs me is the density of symbols. It's like a coded message. You mentioned cultural identity...is that part of the symbolism? Curator: Absolutely. Think of the cultural landscape at the time. Renaissance humanism was booming, rediscovering and reinterpreting classical antiquity. In this print, the central figure, Celtes, surrounded by gods like Minerva, Mars, and Apollo, represents a desire to align German culture, with its 'Celtes' origins, with the perceived prestige and authority of Greek and Roman civilization. What emotions are evoked with these Greco-Roman deities that were known to a Renaissance audience? Editor: I see… so it's like grafting a cultural narrative onto an established symbolic language? Kind of like using known stories and characters to promote another’s importance? Curator: Precisely! It is using the gravitas of established mythology to elevate and legitimize a contemporary figure and, by extension, an entire cultural heritage. Editor: It is interesting how this work layers the ancient world on top of the Renaissance period, all to say something about that moment in time. It gives the artwork a really interesting depth of context. Curator: Indeed. The lasting power of symbolic language is incredible when viewing this artwork, and its use to transmit powerful cultural ideas.