Plate with Horatio at the Bridge c. 1535

The Urbino Potteries created this plate with Horatio at the Bridge; its date of production is unknown. Here we see a chaotic scene rendered in a style that evokes classical antiquity, yet it speaks volumes about the cultural values of the Renaissance. At the forefront is Horatio, the Roman hero, bravely defending the bridge against the invading Etruscan army. Painted in Renaissance Italy, a society steeped in humanist ideals, the plate embodies themes of courage and self-sacrifice. Yet it is also marked by the era’s complex relationship with power and identity. We see the glorification of male heroism but at the expense of a diverse representation. The narrative, while inspiring, reinforces the societal hierarchies of the time. Consider how the image’s classical subject matter, celebrated during the Renaissance, carries implications about cultural power and the construction of historical narratives. The plate invites us to reflect on the ways in which stories of valor and sacrifice can both inspire and perpetuate specific cultural values.